As the summer drew to a close I was fortunate to spend a week at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts at a retreat of generally mid-career metalsmiths and jewelers. It was a unique opportunity to participate in a community of makers away from daily responsibilities. It was a chance to reflect on process, concept and direction or just revel in the bliss of uninterrupted work time. It was like being in graduate school again, but with a greater appreciation for the gift of time.
The artists of the 2015 Advance/Retreat were Haley Bates, Jeff Bowie, Motoko Furuhashi, Jill Gower, Yevgeniya Kaganovich, Anya Kivarkis, Ana Lopez, Natalie Macellaio, Becky McDonah, Jennie Milner, Mary Pearse, Phil Renato, Lauren Selden, Stephanie Voegle and Cappy Wolf.
Works created during the retreat will be featured in an exhibition during the University of Milwaukee “Zoom” symposium May 25-29, 2016.
