Awards

Motivated by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, AJF contributed $500 to the Craft Emergency Relief Fund for emergency-relief assistance.

In 2008, Ruudt Peters gave a lecture at SOFA Chicago titled ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’ This lecture was sponsored by AJF. He used imagery and terminology from the medieval practice of alchemy that attempted to turn base metals into gold. Peters explained he was a member of the Dutch generation of artists who began working in the

In 2005, Noam Elyashiv gave a lecture at SOFA NY. This lecture was sponsored by AJF. Noam Elyashiv’s work is pure, intensely modern and elegantly minimal. Each piece, seemingly abstract yet rooted in autobiography, hints at much deeper meaning and in her words, ‘leaves breathing space for the viewer’s curiosity and personal interpretation.’ Recognized as

In 2004, Vera Siemund gave a lecture about her work at SOFA NY. The lecture was sponsored by AJF. Vera Siemund’s work invites us to ponder a provocatively beautiful paradox – a precious balance between the historic continuum of the decorative arts and radically fresh ideas made manifest in expertly crafted jewelry. Siemund is a young avant-garde

In 2004, Felieke van der Leest spoke to a full room of attendees at SOFA Chicago about her whimsical work and the inspiration for it. This lecture was sponsored by AJF. There is so much more to van der Leest’s work than meets the eye. ‘Actually the pieces I make are very simple,’ said Van

In 2003, AJF gave funds to the Tacoma Art Museum to help acquire Mary Lee Hu’s Choker #83. The museum purchased the piece with funds from the Rotasa Foundation and AJF members Susan Beech and Sharon Campbell, Karen Lorene, Nancy Worden, Mia McEldowney and Mobilia Gallery. Other contributors included Lloyd Herman, Flora Book, Ramona Solberg, Judy Wagonfeld

Lori Talcott, Brising’s Mantel In 2003, Lori Talcott gave a lecture about her  work at SOFA Chicago. This lecture was sponsored by AJF. Lori Talcott offered SOFA attendees a visually rich and insightful presentation, describing how her work is a synthesis of family history, travel experiences and research in traditional and historical adornment. Talcott is

Yuyen Chang, a MFA graduate from the University of Wisconsin, won this year’s EAA of $2000. ‘The work of artist Yuyen Chang was of consistent high quality and finesse combined with a fresh approach to art jewelry. In the best of traditions, the pieces are strongly sculptural but eminently wearable. The surfaces were handled beautifully

In 2002 AJF gave a grant of $500 to the San Francisco Craft and Folk Art Museum for the exhibition Findings: The Jewelry of Ramona Solberg.