Workshop

Family Jewels: Redefining Future Heirlooms Through Concept and Collection

Led by Rebecca Strzelec, Professor of Visual Arts

As an artist originally trained as a traditional bench jeweler who has converted to a hybrid digital/analog studio practice, Rebecca Strzelec regularly contributes to conversations about contemporary artistic materials and methods. This workshop asks participants to raise the value of otherwise easily discarded, ignored, or underrated things to that of rare and exquisite gemstones. After a briefing of current designers, jewelers, and makers who are turning the mundane into precious, participants will be guided through a series of exercises to elevate their own found and collected objects*. Workshop themes include: defining “handmade” alongside of today’s technologies, how artists are creating tomorrow’s heirloom objects, aesthetic applications of scientific process and data, and ways of embedding personal narrative and history into art.

Participants are asked to bring at least 3 found, discarded, or collected objects for use in the workshop.

Registration is required: https://family-jewels.eventbrite.com