Exhibition dates: May 4-June 16, 2012
Artist Reception May 4, 6-9pm
Macchiarini Creative Design
1544 Grant Ave
SF CA 94133

Download the Press Release  for this exhibition 

THEME
As we move through our study and practice in metalsmithing, a traceable lineage becomes present.
Our work becomes informed by not only our own creative visions, the insights of our peers and the environments with which we are surrounded, but also by the discoveries, styles, tricks and trades of our mentors, the techniques and innovations of their mentors and all the experiments, struggles and movements which came before. In effort to notably visualize these lineages and to invite play within what might be discovered along the way, we imagine an exhibition of contemporary wearable metal art pieces and sculpture where artists re-imagine the work of artists who have passed, in homage and dedication to the practices which inform their own.

Jurors: Daniel Macchiarini, Emma Mankin-Morris, emiko oye, Chrystal Powell

All artwork will be insured while in the care of Macchiarini Creative Design.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Shana Astrachan
Betsy Barron
Suzane Beaubrun
Sandra Bradshaw
Syndey Brown
Ani Ghajanian
Julie Jacobs
Ed Lay
Fran Grinels
Daniel Macchiarini
Emma Mankin-Morris
Carolyn Moore
emiko oye
Chrystal Powell
Jenny Reeves
Madeline Salsich

ABOUT MACCHIARINI CREATIVE DESIGN
www.macreativedesign.com
Macchiarini studio and gallery was founded by Peter Macchiarini, a MAG Founder, whose life was dedicated to the creation of innovative metal sculpture, jewelry, drawings, and photography. Some of his work is still on display in this gallery as part of a permanent family collection and many of the designs created in this shop are still based upon his original creations. As such his work is our inspiration. We carry on in the spirit of his artistry, and his integrity, by continuing to make hand-made individually crafted work in a jewelry and art world dominated by mass production. During his lifetime, Peter Macchiarini and his wife Virginia, who was also a talented metal enamel artist and draftsperson, were a vital part of the North Beach community. They ran and organized the North Beach street fair for many years together, encouraging artists of many ilks to come together.

During the 1950′s and 60′s Peter taught his son Daniel the metalwork craft for jewelry and sculpture, as well as form and design concepts to aid in the development of Daniel’s own artistic expression. Daniel worked side by side with Peter to help with his Father’s failing health and the business side of the shop. By the time Peter died in 2001, Daniel was a working artist creating and selling his own work, and now carries on the Macchiarini Creative Design Studio. Daniel Macchiarini’s work has been enjoyed and celebrated throughout the Bay Area as an important metal work artist. Soon after college, his daughter Emma Macchiarini Mankin began to work in the shop part-time to learn the craft of metal work and jewelry design. She is also a painter and is currently in graduate school working towards completing her MFA.

In remembrance of Margaret De Patta, world renowned Modernist jeweler, visionary and MAG’s first president and founder, the Metal Arts Guild is honoring her with this Remembering Margaret evening at the California College of the Arts. The program is concurrent with her retrospective, Space/Light/Structure, showing at the Oakland Museum of California through May 13.

Julie Muniz (Imogene Gieling Curator of Decorative Arts), co-curator of the De Patta exhibition, is giving a presentation on Margaret’s life and interesting, less widely known facts about her work.

Listen to merry renk reminiscing about Margaret in this interview conducted April 15, 2012: http://youtu.be/-XnyeuAEojo

Parking is limited, so please carpool or take BART (Pittsburgh Bay Point line) to Rockridge and walk up College Ave (see map).

Margaret De Patta pendant, 1959

Becoming a working artist or maker is more than just producing wonderful things: professional development is a key element in building a solid and sustainable career. Andy Cooperman and Harriete Estel Berman have been working together for ten years spreading the gospel of professional practices through the Professional Guidelines series of documents and the Professional Development Seminar. They may not always agree, but their experiences on topics such as pricing, aucitions,  galleries, discounting, shipping, and jurying for craft shows, exhibitions and publications are sure to inform and stimulate. Bring your questions and become part of the conversation. You build great work, now get started building a career to match.

Andy Cooperman
Since 1984, metalsmith Andy Cooperman has livd and worked in Seattle where he builds jewelry and small objects for museum exhibitions, galleries, and private clients. His work has been featured in many publications, including Penland Book of Jewelry and the new book Humor in Craft and is held in private and public collections that include the Victoria and Albert Museum, Central College in Pella Iowa and the Tacoma Art Museum. Andy teaches and lectures nationally and taught in the metals program at the University of Washington 2006-08. His work has been shown recently in Esoterica: Through the Looking Glass, a Tributaries solo exhibition at The National Ornamental Metals Museum in Memphis and in Radical Alchemy in the Courthouse Galleries, Portsmouth, Virginia. Andy was honored to be selected as the 2011-12 Eric Yak Kenagy Visiting Artist at Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana which included an exhibition of his work, Disparate Elements at the Goshen College Hershberger Art Gallery.

Harriete Estel Berman
Harriete Estel Berman uses post consumer, recycled materials to construct artwork ranging from jewelry and teacups to entire lawns and works of social commentary.
Berman’s work has shown throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa. Her work is included in the permanent collections of 15 museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Detroit Institute of Art, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

She is featured in over 38 books including a chapter in the book, Manufractured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects; Makers: A History of American Studio Craft,  and the cover of The Fine Art of the Tin Can.

Helen Shirk, presenter @Yuma

It was a sunny 75 degrees when 250 people attended the 33rd Yuma symposium (Feb. 23-25). There were 11 different presenters on subjects ranging from paper to photography.  Highlight of the two and a half days were metalsmiths Helen Shirk (Professor of Arts Emerita at San Diego State University , Bob Ebendorf (Belk Distinguished Chair, E Carolina University), and Marlene True (independent studio artist and Program Chair for Pocosin Arts).

The first two gave heartwarming description of how they progressed from classically trained artists to experimenting with new design forms and materials. Marlene True gave a lively demonstration on how she made a tin box to hold credit and business cards.

Marlene True, presenter

A cheerful evening of pin swaps at Lutes Casino, morphed into a silent auction (organized by MAG member Dawn Nakanishi) which raised $4,500 for the  Friends of Yuma Symposium.

No less than 18 teams of (mostly) students ran the saw,file and solder race, (5) which culminated in a buffet and dance on the final evening.

Saw, File, Solder races

Bob Ebendorf

While I was in Yuma I talked to Bob Ebendorf about the drastic changes he made in his work - from classically trained jeweler, to professor and internationally known artist.  The answer was fun! He discovered “the playfulness that I now enjoy at my work bench. My early years there at problem solving and learning technical kills has given me the background to enjoy being unplugged and playful”.  He added “I had become perhaps trapped in a vacuum of doing this kind of work. I wanted the freedom and the open spirit to follow my heart”. 

During the  Yuma Symposium Bob sidetracked participants to an exhibition of work he extracted while combing the area for bits and pieces of trash from the construction site - which he proudly displayed on a brick wall left over from a construction site.  It’s amazing can be done to convert little stones, bits of bricks and tine cans into urban lore!                      - Jennifer Cross Gans

March 14, 2012, 6:30-9:30pm

Social Event; FREE – you must buy your own food and drink CASH ONLY

Dear Mom bar & gastropub
2700 16th St @ Harrison, SF 94103
Parking is limited, so take public transit or carpool!

PUBLIC TRANSIT:
MUNI: 22 Fillmore, 33 Stanyan; 14 Mission, 49 Van Ness + walking
BART: 16th St Mission, walk East 5 blocks

The first of our MAG HAPPENINGs – smaller social/community experiences for the membership, organized by MAG or individual members with MAG support. Happy hours, discussions, skill shares, pop-up shows – these and more are part of MAG HAPPENINGS. We welcome ideas, input, and would love to have YOU help curate a Happening!

On March 14th we have our own table reserved for our Happy Hour Tumbler @ Dear Mom bar and gatropub in the Mission, SF. The theme is “Favorite Ring” – wear your favorite ring as an icebreaker for conversation. MAG’s PR Chair, Kelsey Simmen, will be your MAG connection and she will be engaging the group in a casual conversation about what cool things/events/ Happenings that YOU want to see MAG do!

Come out and say hi, bring CASH (they don’t take credit cards), and perhaps your Happening idea will be the next event!
CONTACT: Kelsey Simmen 

Harriete is a long-time, dedicated MAG member and established artist. In her ASK HARRIETE column she answers questions sent to her by MAG members, artists and craftspeople. She also has a blog, ASK HARRIETE, where she posts on a regular basis.

ASK HARRIETE POSTS: 

Plant a Seed, Nurture Ideas, Time to Prepare for Blooms and Fruit

The  

It got me to thinking about fruit trees as a metaphor for artists and makers.

There is a Biblical recommendation that newly planted fruit trees should not be harvested before the 5th year.  Thus TuBishvat is sometimes called the birthday for trees since this holiday is used as a demarcation for the passing of each year, a very practical recommendation for the future health and productivity of the tree.

If the tree is nurtured for five years before harvesting the  fruit, all of the energy and dedication of the caretaker will be realized in the long term health of the tree.  When the mature tree produces fruit for harvest, it will be more “fruitful” for many years.

This is a perfect metaphor for a budding artist and how they should nurture their creative output.

Artists and makers should take this to heart…. I am really serious about this point.

I am concerned especially for emerging artists (of all ages) who expect their early creative pursuits to bear immediate fruit in both money and critical acclaim. A premature expectation for visibility and sales too often influences what is made and how it is made.  I hope they learn to overcome these common mistakes:

1.) Shallow roots. Demands from the marketplace can distract artists and makers from developing substantive skills and meaningful ideas. Sustained personal development produces the best fruit. 

2.) Grafting onto others. It is easy to take other people’s ideas, styles and techniques.  But copying whats been done before never develops the individual voice within each of us.

3.) Premature Harvest - Spending too much time promoting initial work instead of developing and producing more thoughtful, more meaningful work.  I am all for selling, but spending time trying to promote and sell premature work damages the long term reputation of emerging artists and drains potential energy from more meaningful development and creativity.

I know my words are pointed.  I don’t usually say “should”, but in this case it is warranted.

Trying to harvest fruit too early damages the core of creativity and dilutes the energy of individuals who could benefit from experiencing growth over a period of time.  Learning from experience and consciously seeking to improve quality should take precedence over immediate gratification.  Higher quality work may take a few years, but once established, it can be productively sustained for a longer period to time.

Harriete Estel Berman  (originally posted on ASKHARRIETE.typepad.com Feb 7, 2012)

Sunday, February 26, 11-11:45am

The Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St , 3^rd Floor
Oakland, CA 94607

SOLD OUT. Pre-registration and payment of $16 required by Feb 22.

MAG has arranged for a special MAG members docent tour of  Space-Light-Structure:  The Jewelry of Margaret De Patta at The Oakland Museum of California, on February 26^th. Only 20 spots are available, so register now!

To register, fill out all fields in the form below and click Submit, at which time Paypal will automatically load and require you to pay the $16 fee in order to have your registration complete. You will receive a confirmation email when your payment is received.

Note: Depending on demand to attend the tour, we may schedule at second tour at at later date.
Questions? Contact: magprograms@gmail.com 

Space-Light-Structure:  The Jewelry of Margaret De Patta
Feb 4 – May 13, 2012

Presented in conjunction with the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, the Oakland Museum of California presents a retrospective exhibition on the work of pioneer jeweler, MAG Founder (and first MAG President), Margaret De Patta. A seminal figure in the American Modernist Jewelry movement, De Patta was born in 1903 and moved to the Bay Area in 1923. Distinguished as one of the few American jewelers whose work and ideas were allied to the evolving ideas presented in the modern art movement, De Patta’s work was heavily influenced by the Constructivists and features architectural forms with simple lines, structure, and often movable parts. Space-Light-Structure: The Jewelry of Margaret De Patta features more than 60 jewelry pieces as well as ceramics, flatware, photographs, pictograms, and newly released archival material. OMCA holds the largest collection of De Patta’s work, most of which was donated by her husband, Eugene Bielawski, after the artist’s untimely death in 1964.

We're sorry, but the tour has filled up! If you are interested in being a part of a second tour at a later date, please email: magprograms@gmail.com with the subject header "2nd MAG Tour". If there is enough interest, we will schedule another tour.

Exhibition dates: May 4-June 16, 2012
Artist Reception May 4, 6-9pm
Macchiarini Creative Design
1544 Grant Ave
SF CA 94133 

Guff Cuff by Ed Lay

THEME
As we move through our study and practice in metalsmithing, a traceable lineage becomes present.
Our work becomes informed by not only our own creative visions, the insights of our peers and the environments with which we are surrounded, but also by the discoveries, styles, tricks and trades of our mentors, the techniques and innovations of their mentors and all the experiments, struggles and movements which came before. In effort to notably visualize these lineages and to invite play within what might be discovered along the way, we imagine an exhibition of contemporary wearable metal art pieces and sculpture where artists re-imagine the work of artists who have passed, in homage and dedication to the practices which inform their own.

Jurors: Daniel Macchiarini, Emma Macchiarini Mankin, emiko oye, Chrystal Powell

All artwork will be insured while in the care of Macchiarini Creative Design.

Download the Press Release  for this exhibition 

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Shana Astrachan
Betsy Barron
Suzane Beaubrun
Sandra Bradshaw
Syndey Brown
Ani Ghajanian
Julie Jacobs
Ed Lay
Fran Grinels
Daniel Macchiarini
Emma Mankin-Morris
Carolyn Moore
emiko oye
Chrystal Powell
Jenny Reeves
Madeline Salsich

ABOUT MACCHIARINI CREATIVE DESIGN
www.macreativedesign.com
Macchiarini studio and gallery was founded by Peter Macchiarini, a MAG Founder, whose life was dedicated to the creation of innovative metal sculpture, jewelry, drawings, and photography. Some of his work is still on display in this gallery as part of a permanent family collection and many of the designs created in this shop are still based upon his original creations. As such his work is our inspiration. We carry on in the spirit of his artistry, and his integrity, by continuing to make hand-made individually crafted work in a jewelry and art world dominated by mass production. During his lifetime, Peter Macchiarini and his wife Virginia, who was also a talented metal enamel artist and draftsperson, were a vital part of the North Beach community. They ran and organized the North Beach street fair for many years together, encouraging artists of many ilks to come together.

During the 1950′s and 60′s Peter taught his son Daniel the metalwork craft for jewelry and sculpture, as well as form and design concepts to aid in the development of Daniel’s own artistic expression. Daniel worked side by side with Peter to help with his Father’s failing health and the business side of the shop. By the time Peter died in 2001, Daniel was a working artist creating and selling his own work, and now carries on the Macchiarini Creative Design Studio. Daniel Macchiarini’s work has been enjoyed and celebrated throughout the Bay Area as an important metal work artist. Soon after college, his daughter Emma Macchiarini Mankin began to work in the shop part-time to learn the craft of metal work and jewelry design. She is also a painter and is currently in graduate school working towards completing her MFA.

Galvanic Etching. Photo by Raminta Jautokas

MAG Presents NC Black for 2 Workshops in March 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012, 10am-5pm: Galvanic Etching  SOLD OUT
Sat/Sun, March 31-April 1, 2012, 10am-5pm: Micro Shell Forming

WHERE: The Crucible
1260 7th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Click here for directions

Pre-registration and payment required by March 26 to ensure participation.
Register by filling out the appropriate registration forms and clicking on the Submit button to pay via Paypal.
Questions? Contact: MAGprograms@gmail.com 

Galvanic Etching. Photo by Raminta Jautokas

GALVANIC ETCHING WORKSHOP (1 day)
$125 for MAG members, $140 for non MAG members

Galvanic etching is an electrolytic process, the principles of which have been known since the early 19th century, and the original process was patented in 1840 and called electro-etching.

This workshop will demonstrate the galvanic process on a small scale for studio applications. Students will learn to electrically etch with minerals bronze, copper, and sterling silver. This is the ONLY non-industrial etching technique available that allows All the etched silver material to be recovered. The projects in this class include several image transfer methods as well as resists and intaglio techniques that will be used to create several etched blanks.

MICRO SHELL WORKSHOP (2 days)
$225 for MAG members, $250 for non MAG members

This is the newest set of tools on the market, and they are sure to become some of your favorites! Micro forming techniques are very useful in today’s market due to the rising costs of precious metals. Now, using these specially designed tools, metalsmiths will learn to use thinner gauge materials yet create voluminous and structurally sound forms using one half the typical amount of metal in a micro format. Using the NEW Micro Forming Tools from NC BLACK Co., students will learn the basics of Micro Shell Forming. Make micro sized spiculums with this new scale hammer and forming block. The sinusoidal stake is well-known to metalsmiths as the perfect tool for anticlastic raising, but this new tool is adapted to current metals market applications. Its size gives one the ability to make pieces just a mere inch in size as opposed to the typical scale of jewelry. Synclastic Forming on the micro scale is now possible with the new series of Micro Synclastic/Shell Forming Hammers developed by NC BLACK Co. The NC BLACK Team will walk you through the benefits of using this micro set and get you creating small, delicate forms with ease.

ABOUT NC BLACK Co.
With over 22 years experience working in Metal, Engraving and the Art of Tool Making, three metalsmiths created NC BLACK Company in response to the special needs of miniature smithing, raising, and shell forming by making their own micro-tools to complete intricate commissioned works. Today, NC BLACK is creating a range of micro-tools for the profession, made by craftsmen for craftsmen. Based in the USA, all products are hand fabricated in North Carolina. NC BLACK Company’s specialty products provide the means to form and finish your pieces with reliable instruments for the job. Using high grade tool steel, the company uses traditional engineering, cutting and shaping methods to create fine micro-tools for the trade, including handmade and finished wooden handles for comfort and long life.
ncblack.com

REGISTRATION

Galvanic Etching 

This class has reached maximum capacity.

Micro Engraving