Education and Professional Development

“Every artist was first an amateur.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Artist Statement

            I am material driven and am highly motivated by the problem solving aspect of the creative process. While I can work with a well defined plan, I work best when I start with a  broad idea of what I would like to achieve and let the end result of each process inform the next. Each step is carefully considered with the aesthetic and its relationship to concept in mind. 
              A variety of materials interest me, but I am currently working with found objects. My primary goal, aesthetically, is to seamlessly integrate the found material in such a way that transcends the original purpose and makes it appear as if it were made specifically for the new purpose I have given it. With jewelry, the principles of sculpture are important in my aesthetic, but I am careful to keep it grounded in functionality so it can be appreciated as a wearable piece of jewelry. 

Curriculum Vitae

The following is a glimpse of my my most recent experience. A full resume can be provided upon request.

Education

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts Jewelry and Metalsmithing, summa cum laude, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, NC

  •  Associate of Fine Arts, Studio Art, summa cum laude, Cleveland Community College, Shelby, NC

Workshops and Relative Experience 

  • 2019 September - Sterling, Forged, Pierced Earrings

  • 2019 June - Exploration in Enameling Metal Jewelry

  • 2019 May - Sterling, Forged, Pierced Earrings

  • 2019 March - Forged Hair Sticks |Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC

  • 2019 March -  Introduction to Kiln Fired, Sifted Enamels |Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC

  • 2019 March - Sterling, Forged, Peirced Earrings | Cleveland County Arts Council |Shelby, NC

  • 2019 February - Creating No-Solder Chain from Wire |Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC

  • 2019 February - Creating No-Solder Chain from Metal Sheet |Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC

  • 2019 February - Introduction to Kiln Fired, Sifted Enamels |Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC

  • 2019 January - Jewelry Making: An Introduction to Cold Connections | Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC 

  • 2019 January - Sterling, Rivited and Forged Earrings | Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC

  • 2018 October, November, December - No-Sew Quilted Christmas Ornaments | Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC

  • 2018 September - Hard Case Binding | Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC 

  • 2018 August - Coptic Binding | Cleveland County Arts Council | Shelby, NC

  • 2016-2018 Studio Assistant | Winthrop University Jewelry & Metals Department |Rock Hill, SC

  • 2014-2015 Studio Assistant | Art Department | Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC 

  • 2014-2015 Substitute Teacher | Cleveland Community College, Early College Program | Shelby, NC

Group Exhibitions

Sculpture

  • 2014 Nailed It - Cleveland Community College Three Dimensional Design Exhibition

  • 2015 Steel Vessels - Sold Out: A Sculpture Show Pop up Exhibition

  • 2015 The Box - Sold Out: A Sculpture Show Pop up Exhibition

Jewelry and Metalsmithing

  • 2019 Number 2 | Eastern Carolina University Material Topics Symposium | Greenville, NC

  • 2018 Number 1, Number 2, Number 4 - Senior Exhibition Winthrop Lewandowski Student Gallery

  • 2018 Various Pieces - A Sense of Place Winthrop Lewandowski Student Gallery

  • 2018 Various Pieces | Eastern Carolina University Material Topics Symposium | Greenville, SC

  • 2017 Various Pieces - Unconventional Departures Winthrop Lewandowski Student Gallery

  • 2016 Cold Connections - Winthrop's 28th Annual Undergraduate Juried Exhibition

  • 2016 Blue Spoon Handles - Winthrop's 28th Annual Undergraduate Juried Exhibition

  • 2016 Field Trip - Lost and Found Junior Seminar Exhibition

  • 2016 Opposites Attract - Lost and Found Junior Seminar Exhibition

Solo Exhibition

  • 2018 Consumption, Preservartion McLauren Galleries 

  • 2015 In my Universe: Sculpture and Pottery - Cleveland Community College

Publications

Collections

  • 2019 Waves Collide - Dr. Jennifer Lavers

Public Art

  • 2015 Blue Blue Day - Don Gibson Theater LP Shelby Traveling LP

Professional Development

  • 2019 Lost and Found | Bob Ebendorf | Penland, NC

  • 2019 Eastern Carolina Material Topics Symposium

    • RJM Boiled Down and Decaffeinated | Susie Ganch
    • Direct Small-Scale Casting with Delft-Clay | Jesse Bert
    • Spring-Based Mechanisms | Nash Quin
    • Borosilicate Flameworking | Kit Paulson
  •  
    2018 Glass on Glass: Full Color Photography on Enameled Steel | Tara Locklear | Rock Hill, SC
  • 2018 SnagMADE Portland, OR

  • 2018 Eastern Carolina University Material Topics Symposium | Greenville, NC

    • It Ain't Just a Drill | Andy Cooperman
    • Wearables in Polychrome Wood | Kimberly Winkle
    • Repetitive Pattern Cloisonné Enameling on a 3D Form | Harlan Butt
    • The Necessity of Space: Felting around Armature & Free-motion Embroidery on Felt | Lisa Klakulak
  • 2016 SnagNEXT Asheville, NC

  • 2016 April Sunday Fun Day Volunteer

  • 2016 Eastern Carolina University Material Topics Symposium | Greenville, NC

    • Pin Back Perfection | Marissa Saneholtz
    • Adorning Steel Surfaces | Ben Dory
    • Beyond the Basics | Barbara Minor
    • Building a Narrative in Glass and Metal | Martha Banyas
  • 2016 Get Your Sh*t Together | Gwynne Rukenbrod Smith, Rock Hill, SC

  • 2016 Stone Setting Workshop | Joanna Gollberg | Rock Hill, SC

  • 2015 Free-style Assemblages :: Settings + Connections |Anna Johnson |Rock Hill, SC

  • 2014 National Society for Leadership and Success Conferences | Shelby, NC

Awards

  • 2019 Dover Foundation Penland Scholarship

  • 2018 Winthrop University Outstanding Jewelry/Metals Student

  • 2018 Cleveland County Arts Council Annual Competition - Special Mention - Consumption/Preservation

  • 2017 Cleveland County Arts Council Annual Competition Special Mention - Milk Jug Topography

  • 2016 Erasmus+ EU Study Abroad Grant | Porto Portugal

  • 2016 Winthrop University Outstanding Jewelry/Metals Student

  • 2016 Caroline Rust Merit Award - Blue Spoon Handles

  • 2015 Cleveland Community College Outstanding Graduate