February 2025, Part 2

Art Jewelry Forum is pleased to share the news that members of our community find noteworthy. Is something missing? The success of this compilation of compelling events, news, and items of interest to the jewelry community depends on YOUR participation. If you’re a member of AJF at the Silver level or above, you can add news and ideas to this bi-monthly report by going here. If you aren’t a member, but would like to become one, join AJF here.

AJF’S EVENTS IN MUNICH
We’ve organized a robust program! We’ll host a daily speaker series in our share a booth with Arnoldsche. Nineteen presenters will explore a range of compelling themes. | We have two events at Galerie Handwerk: 2023 Susan Beech Mid-Career Grant winner Khanya Mthethwa will give a special presentation. And we’ll present the new book Feast, about American collector Susan Beech, with a panel that includes Beech, Toni Greenbaum, Barbara Gifford, and Susan Cummins. | We’ll announce the winner of the 2025 AJF Solo Exhibition Award. Who will get $20,000 to put on their show? | And don’t miss our AJF member dinner. Full details here.

AJF TRIPS IN 2025
AJF’s highly curated trips provide an opportunity to travel with like-minded enthusiasts and give you access to venues and activities you couldn’t do on your own. We have two trips planned. Registration for the first trip—Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 12–15, 2025—is currently open for Silver members and above (register here). The other trips will be in Mexico City, Mexico, September 7–10, 2025, and in Oaxaca September 12–14. You can go both places in Mexico, or choose just one. Become a member at the Gold level for priority invitation to AJF’s trips. Additional info here.

FEEL LIKE SEEING A JEWELRY SHOW?
Find  constantly updated listings from around the world on our dedicated exhibition page.

EVENTS
We have a dedicated page for events around the globe. Go here to see the list.

FROM OUR MEMBERS

MUSEUM ACQUIRES WORK BY CATHERINE SHEEDY
Noel Guyomarc’h, who represents the artist, told us that last January the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec acquired a work by Catherine Sheedy called Chercher Sa Stabilité 9 (Seeking One’s Stability 9), from the Le Fleuve Porteur d’Histoires (The River that Carries Stories) Series.

AURÉLIE GUILLAUME WORK ACQUIRED BY MUSEUM
Noel Guyomarc’h also told us that the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec also acquired a brooch called She Likes You Not, from the Say It with Flowers Series. Guillaume plays with the longstanding link between enameling and storytelling. Whereas makers from other centuries might have presented religious narratives in their brightly colored objects, Guillaume looks to street art, comics, and other forms of popular culture. In her work, a single character is frozen in the middle of a story that remains hidden from the viewer.

NEW SHOW AT SALOTTO SPJ: FEBRUARY 19–26, 2025
Taking place in the center of Milan, Italy, Joy BC’s solo exhibition will offer a thoughtful exploration of jewelry as a medium for storytelling, identity, and cultural reflection. Renowned for her sculptural approach and deeply researched narratives, Joy BC’s work draws on historical references, mythology, and personal memory to create contemporary pieces. RSVP to @salottospj by DM or email.

MORE ABOUT NEW AJF MEMBER SALOTTO SPJ
Salotto SPJ’s project, in central Milan, opened in January with an exhibition of work by Giovanni Corvaja. You can look forward to a show of work by Charlotte De Syllas in March; Chloé Valorso in April; and Yeena Yoon in May. More.

OBJECTS BEAUTIFUL AT COLLECT: FEBRUARY 26–MARCH 3, 2025
Objects Beautiful’s theme is wearable art. You’ll find clothing by Nurit David. The jewelry is a new collection, Rock & Locks, created by the gallery’s 35 jewelry artists eager to work with hair and reclaim the romance and tenderness of hair-scapes. More.

SEE WORK BY MARGIT HART IN MUNICH
Hart’s Schattenflug · Fleeting Shadows pieces (2018, pigment print on steel, acrylic, silver) will be part of the exhibition Lückenfüller, at Room to Dream, March 12–16, 2025. “Shadow and light, image and fragment. Light as a cosmic and physical phenomenon. And light as a sensual experience that opens up the surface into the pictorial space.”

LOLA BROOKS NAMED MASTER OF THE MEDIUM
The James Renwick Alliance for Craft honors Brooks, a metalsmith whose work explores the rich symbolism of jewelry as a cultural artifact. Brooks combines traditional craft with contemporary innovation. Her pieces challenge conventional notions of value by juxtaposing stainless steel with gold, transforming sentimental motifs into profound artistic statements.

SOLO EXHIBITION BY KHANYA MTHETHWA
Abantu: Threads That Bind Us celebrates South Africa’s diverse indigenous cultures through an exploration of identity and tribute to the resilience of African memory. Inspired by South African culture past and present, this exhibition bridges the distance between the two through artistic interpretations of archival materials and contemporary design. At FADA Gallery, February 27–March 28, 2025.

CHERYL R. RILEY TO EXHIBIT IN “THE STORY MAKERS”
See Sculptures in the Form of a Necklace in this group show, curated by Sebastian Grant, on view at Gallery Loupe April 5-May 5, 2025. Grant write an in-depth, 10-page article featuring Riley’s sculpture necklaces in the Spring 2024 issue of Metalsmith.

SÉBASTIEN CARRÉ TO TEACH WORKSHOP
Explore the many facets of textile techniques and transform threads and beads into unique creations. June 23–28, 2025, at Le Sel de la Main, in France. More info.

UTE DECKER SELECTED FOR 100 RINGS, 100 MAKERS
Goldsmiths’ Fair presents 100 Rings, 100 Makers at Collect 2025, celebrating the contemporary ring as miniature sculpture and intimate object. Decker, known for her bold statement rings, is showcasing Rose in 18-karat fair trade gold. This unique hand sculpted ring explores transformation and renewal: a bold sculptural ring that, when worn with a torque, transforms into an intriguing pendant. Collect is the leading international art fair for contemporary craft and design. Visit Stand E11 to experience these miniature masterpieces firsthand. Info.

OPEN POSITION AT THE BALTIMORE JEWELRY CENTER
The BJC is offering one three-year teaching fellowship; start date August 2025. In addition to gaining teaching experience, the selected fellow will develop pedagogical skills, build leadership experience, receive mentorship from experienced educators, and play an influential part of a vibrant educational community. The ideal candidate is passionate about metalsmithing and art jewelry as well as teaching and learning. They should be eager to engage with students in a variety of settings, from the studio to community events. Applicants should have an MFA in metals and/or jewelry, or a BFA in metals and/or jewelry and work experience (in teaching or other aspects of the field). More info.

ONE DAY YOU’LL SEE, AT THE BALTIMORE JEWELRY CENTER
A solo exhibition of works by image and object maker Laurel Fulton. The exhibition consists of a series of ocular devices that shift the participants’ visual perception of the world and individuals around them. When we say “I see,” we mean “I understand” and we often think “to see is to believe.” However, when we see, we are interpreting, determining, and evaluating the data our eyes send us. As a result, there is no singular or universal way to interpret the world. Seeing is influenced by our own experience, which alters our own understanding and capacity for knowing. More.

MOBILIA GALLERY PREVIEWS JEWELRY FEATURED IN MASSART AUCTION
Preview the 32 pieces of art jewelry featured in the 2025 MassArt Auction, and other works from by participating artists and master jewelers, Saturday, March 1, 2025, 12–4 pm. Try on the works, meet local artists participating in the auction, and enjoy some refreshments. RSVP by email. Jewelry that is part of the auction will be available for bidding starting March 17, 2025. Bidding website is here.

OTHER NEWS

UNITED STATES ARTISTS FELLOWS ANNOUNCED
Metalsmith and multidisciplinary artist David Harper Clemmons and jewelry artist Tzu-Ju Chen are among the honorees. More.

FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR MAKES JEWELRY FOR TAIWANESE DANCERS
Clayton Salley is collaborating with professional dancers to develop and document performances that merge dance and choreography with his jewelry designs. This interdisciplinary approach has the potential to demonstrate new ways body adornment can foster human connection. More.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF “BEYOND THE GALLERY”
This conversation addressed the limits of the art gallery as a space for valuing craft. These limits include the way experience is restricted to the visual sense and objects are presented as representations of the world, rather than things to be used in it. With Ben Lignel, Monica Gaspar, and Kevoin Murray. Watch here.

NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY HAS A SHOWCASE IN SANTA FE
All year long, makers sell their creations on the portal at the historic Palace of the Governors. More.

A NEW TREND IN JEWELRY?
Taylor Swift wore a bauble on her thigh to the Grammys. How soon till jeweled garters are in all the stores? More.

OPPORTUNITIES

OPEN CALL: PARCOURS BIJOUX
Every three years, Parcours Bijoux celebrates contemporary jewelry in Paris, presenting over 300 artists from around the world in some 50 events over five weeks: group exhibitions, solo shows, conferences, publications, seminars, and performances. Open to jewelers, artists, designers, art historians, schools, curators, gallery owners, journalists, and collectors. Join the 2026 edition by applying by June 15, 2025. Info.

OPEN CALL: CONTEMPORARY WEARABLES ’25 BIENNIAL JEWELLERY AWARD AND EXHIBITION
With this award and exhibition, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery promotes excellence in contemporary adornment. The award was established in 1989 and is a forum for experimental and innovative contemporary jewelry and object practice. Juried and judged by leading industry professionals, it showcases the work of Australia’s prominent and emerging contemporary makers. 2025 awards include: $6000 Excellence Award, $4000 Innovation Award, $2000 Student Award. Entry Form and Guidelines here. Deadline: May 2, 2025. More

PAGES

JEWELLERY – FORM – CONTENT
This publication from the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague brings together jewelry past and present, exploring it not chronologically but in terms of the ways in which it can bear meanings. The book illustrates these by examining quite diverse pieces. It covers the full range of jewelry, not just physical objects but also work that exists more as a concept or event. It embraces auteur and collective pieces, and jewelry confrontational and conventional. More.

We welcome your comments on our publishing, and we will publish letters that engage with our articles in a thoughtful and polite manner. Please submit letters to the editor electronically; do so here. 

© 2025 Art Jewelry Forum. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. For reprint permission, contact info (at) artjewelryforum (dot) org