July 2025, Part 1

 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.

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

EVENTS
We have a dedicated page for them. Go here to see the list.

FROM OUR MEMBERS

WHAT ARE YOU READING THIS SUMMER?
AJF founder Susan Cummins wrote in to say, “I am reading Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver, and loving it. It is so funny and tragic at the same time. Being inside Demon’s head and hearing how he thinks and talks to himself is very amusing. It isn’t jewelry-related, but then not everything is!” More.

ARCHITECTURE = ART: THE SUSAN GRANT LEWIN COLLECTION EXHIBITION
This exhibition of approximately 50 architectural presentation drawings by celebrated architects and designers from around the world comes from the personal collection of Susan Grant Lewin, a longtime advocate for contemporary architecture and design. Created as conceptual or presentation works, they reflect drawing as an essential part of the architect’s expressive process—less about documentation, more about persuasion and imagination. At the Paul Rudolph Institute, in New York City, through September 20, 2026. More.

SEE PREZIOSA YOUNG 2024 AT GALERIE DOOR
This renowned prize, managed and organized by Le Arti Orafe Contemporary Jewellery School, in Florence, is awarded to talented young international jewelry artists under age 35. In Nijmegen, Netherlands, through July 20, 2025. More.

FRANK BAUER, AT SAMSTAG MUSEUM OF ART THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
“This show is incredible,” says Zu design’s Jane Bowden. “Bauer was a lecturer of mine at Uni SA and he has inspired my own jewelry practice. He began as an industrial designer, started architecture, then did silversmithing in the UK and contemporary jewelry. His training and making combines in these Lichtbilder, a grid-like structure that carries low voltage to power LED lights. The perforated anodized aluminum sections distort the light, creating shadows within the piece and on the walls and creating a moiré effect so that the lights captivate and seem to move as you walk past them. They are beautiful with or without the lights on, jewelry for buildings!” In Adelaide, SA, Australia. More.

EXIT EXTENDED
The masters students in the jewelry design and goldsmithing studio of PXL/MAD and MASieraad exhibit their final works. Each project testifies to the continuous interaction between education and research, and to the personal, creative, and artistic development of the student. At Multiple, in Hasselt, Belgium, through July 12, 2025. More.

DOURIEAN FLETCHER: JEWELRY OF THE AFROFUTURE
The Museum of Arts and Design will explore the storytelling power of Fletcher’s jewelry through 150+ works on view October 4, 2025–March 15, 2026. The artist’s practice spans independent design, costume, and film. It exemplifies the ethos of Afrofuturism, a cultural movement that reclaims Black identity and history while envisioning egalitarian futures. Inspired by the storytelling traditions of Zulu beadwork, the ornate beauty of ancient Egyptian adornment, and the innovation of African American jewelers, Fletcher explores the use of symbolism in spiritual practice—reimagining and creating new talismanic forms that address personal and collective transformation.

NYCJW IS IN THE WORKS!
The eighth edition of NYC Jewelry Week returns November 17–23, 2025, with the theme Art Worn. It will celebrate the artistry behind every piece of jewelry, from fine and costume to art jewelry. Art Worn highlights how today’s most visionary creators blend precious and unexpected materials, merge tradition with technology, and craft powerful stories that resonate on both a personal and global scale. More.

KOREA NOW NOW ON VIEW AT OMBRÉ
The traveling group exhibition features contemporary jewelry by 52 artists. Curated by Charon Kransen, the show visually reinterprets Korean heritage through a modern perspective, emphasizing mastery of craftsmanship, symbolism, and material. Wood, silver, resin, Velcro, paper, yarn, stone, and rice are but a few elements that take center stage. Through August 31, 2025. More.

UTE DECKER WINS IAC’S 2025 AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP IN RESPONSIBLE PRACTICE IN JEWELRY
Initiatives in Art and Culture gave the AJF member the prize “for her passionate advocacy for responsible jewelry making practice paired with her impressive creative vision.” The award will be bestowed at the 15th International Gold + Diamond Conference NYC, followed by a conversation with the artist. The conference brings together thought leaders, industry experts, collectors, curators, and leading jewelers to explore the most pressing issues facing the jewelry, gemstone, and precious-metal sectors; to seek common purpose regarding responsible jewelry practice; and to celebrate the highest standards in jewelry craft and design. At Bohemian National Hall 321 E 73rd St New York, NY, July 14–16, 2025. More.

APPRECIATION, AT MUSEUM ARNHEM, NETHERLANDS
This exhibition explores various societal themes and individuals presented through the work of Ted Noten. For 30+ years, he has created jewelry that examines value, ownership, and status. What do we consider valuable? Why? A surprising exhibition full of jewelry, humor, and meaning. Through September 28, 2025. More.

COLLECTION FOCUS: RON ISAACS
Most of Isaacs’s work—a combination of two-dimensional imagery and cut and sawn wood—operates in an in-between space as “trompe l’oeil painted constructions.” Says Isaacs, “I never actually made it to three dimensions; I seem to have stalled at two and a half.” The exhibition includes early acrylic on canvas paintings, art jewelry, and 20+ painted wood constructions. At Racine Art Museum through October 25, 2025. More.

OTHER NEWS

CORRINA GOUTOS WILL PRESENT WORK AT OBSESSED
For the past three months, the finalist for AJF’s 2024 Young Artist Award has been the artist-in-residence at the Françoise van den Bosch Foundation, in Amsterdam. She has used her time in the Netherlands to make connections and gain inspiration to further develop her work, which she’ll present at the Obsessed jewelry festival in November.

LORI TALCOTT GETS FULBRIGHT IN A F**KED-UP TURN OF EVENTS
Fulbright Scholarships have “always been based on academic merit,” Talcott wrote on Instagram, “until this year, when the State Department introduced a fourth step: all chosen projects were ordered back and evaluated for ‘political content’ or anything believed to … conflict with the President’s Executive Orders. Mine, a medieval art history project, was flagged and rejected—most likely for my use of the words ‘identity’ and/or ‘gender.’” Fortunately, the US-Norway Fulbright Foundation and the Norwegian government have stepped in to support those who were selected and then de-selected. More.

KOKON/COCOON, AT GALERIE BIRO
The cocoon—a place of stillness, transformation, and protection—symbolizes one of our most fundamental human needs: a sense of safety, retreat, and belonging. This show includes jewelry by Martina Dempf and the visual works of artists Lea Grebe and Anita Oettershagen. Through July 28, 2025. Info.

FROM WAVE TO SHINING WAVE: A CELEBRATION OF PHIL BALDWIN AND SHINING WAVE METALS
This exhibition is deeply rooted in mokume-gane, first developed in Japan to create dynamic, organic patterns. Baldwin significantly contributed to the technique’s advancement in the US. The show features work by 30+ members of the Seattle Metals Guild, each contributing pieces in Baldwin’s honor. At Danaca Design Gallery, in Seattle, WA, US, through July 20, 2025. More.

THE RING PROJECT, AT ALTA FORMA
This exhibition, through July 19, 2025, features more than 30 artists, 100+ rings, and select artworks celebrating this iconic jewelry archetype. It includes cameo, class, cocktail, eternity, guard, key, mood, promise, signet, and many more. In Melbourne, Australia. More.

KUMPANE/COMPANIONS
Animal heads and cartoon characters have become Alexander Blank’s trademark. His Memento Juniori pendants, made of hand-carved hard foam, silver, and cotton, demonstrate his love of being transported to fantasy worlds and his curiosity about the unknown. At Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, July 25–October 5, 2025. More.

COMING SOON: NOON PASSAMA EXHIBITION AT MUSEUM ARNHEM
For this exhibition, the current Françoise van den Bosch Prize winner is developing an entirely new series of work inspired by the Chinese constellations. The show opens November 2, 2025.

IAC’S GOLD + DIAMOND CONFERENCE RETURNS TO NYC
The 15th annual conference takes place in-person July 14–July 16, 2025. Its theme, “Eye on the Prize: Towards Continuing Improvement in Practice and Artistry,” serves as a continuation of IAC’s longstanding commitment to shaping responsible, inclusive, and visionary practices within the global precious metals and diamond industries. More.

PAGES

BEAUTIFUL TENSIONS, BY ANNE BRENNAN
Gray Street Workshop is one of Australia’s longest-running collectively run studios for artists making jewelry and objects. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, JamFactory presented Beautiful Tensions, a touring exhibition showcasing new work by the four current partners: Jess Dare, Lisa Furno, Sue Lorraine, and Catherine Truman. “[It’s] not all jewelry in this show,” Zu design’s Jane Bowden told AJF. “There are installation pieces and sculptural works, but the makers’ practices cross the contemporary jewelry field with pieces relating in some way to people and connection and the body. (They all make jewelry.)” More.

ABC JEWELRY, BY HUMBERT R. BLAKE
This alphabet book engages kids aged 3–5 with illustrations and a fun approach to learning letters. Each letter, from A to Z, represents a piece of jewelry or an item related to jewelry, such as “A is for Anklet” or “B is for Bracelet.” Apropos, Brilliant, Clever! More.

NEW TECHNIQUES IN COLORED PENCIL ON METAL JEWELRY
Building on the success of her first book, Roxan O’Brien returns with an expanded repertoire of innovative methods for working with silver, brass, aluminum, and more. This comprehensive guide unveils professional secrets for creating vibrant, gallery-worthy pieces using simple tools and accessible materials. More.

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