Academy of Art University

Enroll in a Jewelry & Metal Arts program like no other at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, where the next generation of jewelry designers learn to create exquisite jewelry, fine metal objects, and prototypes for mass production in our state-of-the-art facilities. Through advanced jewelry and metal arts courses, students will sharpen their design concepts and craft one-of-a-kind pieces from premium materials using techniques ranging from traditional metal design to digital 3D printing and laser cutting technology.

The School of Jewelry & Metal Arts degree program provides a hands-on environment for students. Our well-equipped studios provide students with access to the latest in laser-cutting technology, 3D modeling and printing, enameling, casting, welding, forging, smithing, and mixed media tools and applications for their projects. Our goal is to prepare students to become premier jewelry designers for a competitive global market, providing comprehensive instruction in production, presentation, and market insight.

Discover the creative experience of a lifetime as you collaborate with other student artists from an array of different programs, including the School of Fashion, School of Photography, and School of Fine Art Sculpture. Our experienced professors will provide technical guidance and new sources of inspiration to help develop your vision for jewelry design and production at a world-class arts university in San Francisco.

Charlene Modena | Director, School of Jewelry & Metal Arts
Charlene Modena received her MA in sculpture from San Francisco State University with an emphasis in jewelry and metal arts, and an MFA in sculpture from Academy of Art University. She also studied with the S.F. Art Institute, Penland School in North Carolina, and Haystack School in Maine, and conducted additional research in England, Mexico, Italy, and Hawaii. She has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout the world, including the American Institute of Architects, the University of Guanajuato (Mexico), the Butler Institute of American Art, Elements Gallery, Velvet da Vinci, Ueno Royal Museum (Tokyo), and the Biennale Internationale de Limoges, in France.

Karen Chesna | Online Coordinator, School of Jewelry & Metal Arts
A native of Chicago, Karen Chesna earned her MFA in sculpture/metals from Academy of Art University and holds a BA in history of art and architecture, with a concentration in indigenous art, from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She spent many years working in the anthropology department at the Field Museum of Natural History and considers this immersion in humanity’s cultural past a major influence on her sculptural jewelry, artist books, and small metal-based mixed-media sculptures.

RECENT GRADUATES: If you recently received a degree–BA, BFA, MA, or MFA–from this university, everything you need to know to upload your graduate portfolio can be found at this link.

Graduate Portfolios
Connected_2019_necklace_brass_wood_17x11_inches_photo_Donald Felton

Alpa Sheth, MFA, 2019

Waiting to be Reborn Ⅰ, 2017, Butterfly’s wings, copper, silver, 12 x 5 inches, Photo: Ye Zhang

Yuan Luo, MFA, 2018

Flow Like Water V, 2018, Necklace, Copper, plastic tube, enamel, 7 x 9.8 x 1.6 Inch, Photo: Yong Yang

MeiXian Li, MFA, 2018

Chen Yu Chiu, MFA, 2018

Budding, 2017, necklace, brass, bronze, horsehair, 7 x 17 x 7 inches, photo: Bob Toy

Yangming Zhou, MA, 2017

Exfoliating Device, 2017, Brass, Acrylic, Stainless Steel, Sandpaper,4

Li Yun Hsing, MFA, 2017

Jenhui Chang, MFA, 2016

Halo 2, 2016, necklace, brass, bronze, 15 x 7 x 12 cm, photo: Emily Hill

Diana Garcia Lecompte, MFA, 2016

Courage Cuffs, 2014, bracelets, brass, horn, 6 x 3 x 3 in, photo: Kayvan M. Zadeh

Azita Mireshghi, MFA, 2016

Yin_Yang 1, 2014, necklace, silver, wood, tourmalinated quartz, rutilated quartz, magnets, 1.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 in, photo: artist

Hsinyu Chu, MFA, 2016

Magnolia Growing, 2015, fine silver, enamel, silver plating on copper, 11 x 10.5 inches, photo: artist

Li Zixuan, MFA, 2015

Origami Ring, 2014, bronze, 2 x 1.5 x 2 in, photo: Maria del Rio

Carmen Lui, BFA, 2015

Untitled, 2014, brooch, copper, silver, enamel, wood, 2 x 3 x 1 inches, photo: Deanna Wardley

Deanna Wardley, BFA, 2015

Look At My Face, 2014, face adornment, sterling silver, brass,

Jizhi Li, BFA, 2015

Neckpiece 3, 2014, necklace, nickel silver, brass, copper, 12 x 9 x 12 inches, photo: Yu-Teng Yuan

Yu-Teng Yuann, MFA, 2015

Smashed Can, 2014, sculpture, smashed can, bamboo,sea sponge, coral, watch part, garnet, gel medium transfer, copper & paper, leaves, bicycle tire inner tube, tool dip, 7 x 9 x 4.5 inches, photo: Nathan Phillips

Patty Nelson, MFA, 2015

RECycled, 2014, necklace, bike chain, copper, ball bearings, paint, enamel, liver of sulfur, 13.5 x 8.5 x 1 inches, photo: Tina Maliga

Orly Ruaimi, , 2015

Tang Yucen, BFA, 2015

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