Artist Information Statement
When designing jewelry, I incorporate geometric influences of human and naturally made objects. These combined visual patterns and shapes help stimulate the creative process. The end results are graphic representations of sweeping curves, upward perspectives and overlapping alignments in detail. The goal is to establish images in miniature that go beyond the mundane and predictable which establishes a unique vision.
Each of my creations develops from graphic drawings on paper that transform to finished three-dimensional constructions. I hand cut metal components of sheet, tubing and wire to meet the demands of an intended design. Occasionally I implement technology by having some components laser cut. Little holes are arranged on the multiple parts with a drill press. Small wires are then fitted through. Measured pieces of tubing are beaded on to serve as spacers. This becomes a repeated layering activity and finished by having the wire ends tapped (rivets) with a hammer and anvil. The completed piece will incorporate my aesthetic concerns combined with the engineering elements that reflect my visual style.
The primary material I use is titanium (Ti). This gray-toned metal is ideal for jewelry design. It is light in weight, strong, hypoallergenic and non-corrosive. With many designs, I also combine gold and/or silver metals to highlight and add contrast to the finished piece.
The seeds for jewelry design began at an early age and took form in college. When I was five I began making plastic models. I focused on science fiction related themes and subjects of World War Two. With continued years of interest, I developed unique skills for making miniature objects. In college at The University of Iowa I became interested in studio art gravitating to metalsmithing and jewelry design. By the time I graduated in 1989 the years of making models and the education in metalworking provided opportunities for professional success.
I live in Kutztown Pennsylvania with my wife Amy and daughter Annabel. My wife is the Associate Dean of Kutztown University College of Visual and Performing Arts. I work from home in our restored carriage house as a solo artist and travel the country exhibiting my jewelry and and conducting workshops. As a family we enjoy cooking and entertaining. To keep in shape, I train regularly in Shorin-ryu karate. I stay involved in Kutztown Area School Districts creative problem-solving program, (Odyssey of the Mind) as the director and as a team coach. I am also active in the Rotary Club and a charter member of the Kutztown Scotch Club. When time provides I take pleasure in keeping track of my beloved Iowa Hawkeye football team.
_______________________________________________________
Resume/CV
Education
BA in Communication Studies with additional study in Metal Working, University of Iowa, 1989.
Professional
Current Interest:
Design, production, instruction and sales of contemporary jewelry since 1987.
Special Skills:
Designing jewelry employing geometric and organic elements.
Developing metal components hand cut with a jewelers saw.
Coloring and texturing of titanium.
Cold connecting with rivets.
Art and Craft Show Participation Since 2010:
ACC Craft Shows, Baltimore, MD, San Fransisco, CA, Atlanta, GA and St. Paul, MN
American Craft Exposition, Evanston, IL
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original, Ann Arbor, MI
Armonk Outdoor Art Fair, Armonk, NY
Artisphere, Greenville, SC
Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR
Art on the Square, Belleville, IL
Art on the Square, Madison, WI
Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show, Atlanta, GA
Bayou City Art Festivals, Houston, TX
Bellevue Art Museum ArtsFair, Seattle, WA
Bethesda Row Art Festival, Bethesda, MD
Boston Mills Artfest, Peninsula, OH
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, State College, PA
Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO
Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Miami, FL
Columbus Art Festival, Columbus OH
Cottonwood Art Festival, Dallas, TX
Craft and Design Show, Richmond, VA
Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, IA
Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, St. Joseph, MI
Lakefront Festival of Art, Milwaukee, WI
La Quinta Arts Festival, La Quinta, CA
Long’s Park Art and Crafts Festival, Lancaster, PA
Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival, Fort Worth, TX
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA
Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show, Mt. Gretna, PA
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts, Oklahoma City, OK
Old Town Art Fair, Chicago, IL
Paradise City Arts Festivals, MA
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Philadelphia, PA
Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City, MO
Rittenhouse Square Craft Shows, Philadelphia, PA
Saint Louis Art Fair, Saint Louis, MO
Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, CA
Scottsdale Art Festival, Scottsdale, AZ
Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN
Washington Craft Show, Washington, DC
Exhibitions:
Art of the State, 2019, 2020 and 2022. State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood, 2003. Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, IA
Contemporary Crafts, 2011 and 2018. Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Craft Forms, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016 2022 and 2023. Wayne ArtCenter, Wayne, PA
Crafts National 39, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, 2005. Zoller Gallery, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Diversity and Difference, 2001. Weyrich Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
Fine Arts Exhibition, 2004. Rock Island Art Guild, Rock Island, IL
Fine Contemporary Craft, 2006-2007. Artspace, Raleigh, NC
Fine Craft Show, 2004. Sedgwick Cultural Center, Philadelphia, PA
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts In House Exhibition, 2023, Reading, PA
Iowa Metals Guild Exhibition, 2008. St. Petersburg, Russia
Iowa Metals Guild Exhibition, 2009. Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA
Materials: Hard & Soft, 2006. Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX
Modern Makers: 21st Century Craft in Berks and Lehigh Counties, 2013. Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
Ohio Designer Craftsmen, Best of 2005. Columbus, OH
REFINED, 2018. Cole Art Center, Nacogdoches, TX
Sculpture and Fine Crafts Exhibition, 2003. St. Louis Artist’s Guild, St. Louis, MO
University of Iowa and Kyung-Geum Metalsmith Association Exhibition,2004. Seoul, South Korea
Still Processing Exhibition, SNAG Metalsmith, 2023, Online
Wearable Expressions, 2008 and 2017. Palos Verdes Art Center, Palos Verdes, CA
Selected Awards/Honors:
Armonk Outdoor Art Fair, Honorable Mention 2009, First Place in Jewelry 2022 and Second Place in Jewelry 2023. Armonk, NY
Art on the Square, Best of Category 2022, Belleville, IL
Art of the State Exhibition, Honorable Mention, Craft 2018, Harrisburg, PA
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Award for Originality and Excellence 2008, Award for Excellence 2012. Ann Arbor, MI
Artisphere, Second Place 2009, Honorable Mention 2010. Greenville, SC
Bayou City Art Festival/Downtown, Award for Excellence in Jewelry 2011. Houston, TX
Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair, Award of Excellence 2005. Seattle, WA
Bethesda Row Arts Festival, Best of Category 2012 and Best in Category 2023. Bethesda, MD
Boston Mills Art Festival, Honorable Mention 2007, 2011, 2014; Award of Excellence 2013; First in Jewelry 2015; Award of Excellence 2018. Peninsula, OH
The Bruce Museum Craft Fair, First Place Jewelry 2011 and 2012. Greenwich, CT
College Hill Arts Festival, Award of Excellence 2017. Cedar Fall, IA
Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Award for Excellence 2004, Award of Merit 2005, 2006, Award for Excellence in Jewelry 2010, 2013, Best of Arts 2014, Award of Merit 2015 and Award of Distinction 2023 . State College, PA
Coconut Grove Art Festival, Award of Merit 2008. Miami, FL
Columbus Winterfair, Award of Excellence 2010. Columbus, OH
Des Moines Arts Festival, Award of Excellence 2015. Des Moines, IA
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair, Best in Medium, 2022
Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, Best of Jewelry Non-Precious 2017; Best of Category-Jewelry 2018. St. Joseph, MI
Laumeir Contemporary Art Fair, Award of Excellence 2000. St. Louis, MO
Marion Arts Festival, Best of Show Second Place 2004; Idea Peer Merit Award 2008. Marion, IA
Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival, Best of Category 1998; Merit Award 2011, 2013; Juror Award 2012. Ft. Worth, TX
Mayfest, Best in Show 1997; Award of Merit 1998. Tulsa, OK
Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair, Award of Excellence 2008; Excellence in Jewelry 2018. Milwaukee, WI
Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show, Judges Choice Award 2010, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2022. Mount Gretna, PA
Octagon Art Festival, Best of Show 2004. Ames, IA
Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman Rittenhouse Square Craft Show, Resolved Design Award 2017. Philadelphia, PA
Plaza Art Fair, Award of Excellence 2021, Kansas City, MO
Salem Art Fair and Festival, Best of Show 1996. Salem, OR
Saul Bell Design Award, Finalist Alternative Metals/Materials 2017; Second Place Alternative Metals/Materials 2018. Albuquerque, NM
Scottsdale Art Festival, 1st in Jewelry 2015. Scottsdale, AZ
St. Louis Art Fair, Second Place 2012 and Second Place 2022. St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Art Guild, Honorable Mention for Sculpture and Fine Crafts Exhibition 2003. St. Louis, MO
Summerfair, Honorable Mention 1995; Best of Jewelry 2014. Cincinnati, OH
Tennessee Arts and Craft Fair, Best in Show 2013. Nashville, TN
Uptown Art Fair, Best in Show in Jewelry 2023, Minneapolis, MN
Wearable Expressions, Honorable Mention – Jewelry 2017. Palos Verdes, CA
Publications of Work:
Kate Bonansinga and Jane Milosch, Chunghi Choo: Mentorship As Artistic Practice, Metalsmith Magazine, Vol. 39 NO. 4 2019, p 23
Joanna Gollberg, Making Metal Jewelry, Lark Books 2003, pp 7, 97, 102, 111
India Gustin, Lampoon Magazine, September 2021, Issue NO. 23
Ray Hemachandra, Showcase 500 Art Necklaces, Lark Books 2013, p 101
Mary Hettmansperger, Wrap, Stitch, Fold and Rivet, Lark Books 2008,
p 125
Mary Kay, The Iowan Magazine, January/February 2004, p 39
Adam P. and Renee Kennedy, Best of America Jewelry Artists Volume II, Kennedy Publishing 2009, pp 149-150, cover
Robert K. Liu, Ornament Magazine, Autumn 2004, pp 54-57
Jane Milosch, Chunghi Choo and Her Students: Contemporary Art and New Forms in Metal, Arnolosche Books 2022
Marilyn G. Stewart, Exploration in Art Second Edition, Davis Books 2017, pp 178-179
Stephanie Stewart-Howard. Nashville Arts Magazine, December 2013, pp 74-75
WA&A Editors. Western Art & Architecture Magazine, December 2015,
p 63
E. Douglas Wunder, Art Jewelry Magazine, January 2009, pp 54-59
E. Douglas Wunder, Lapidary Journal Magazine, April 2011, p 80
E. Douglas Wunder, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist Magazine, 2020 (March/April)
Teaching:
Internship Supervision, Collaborative Program with Kutztown University Crafts Department, 2017-2020, Kutztown, PA
Design and Three-Dimensional Cold Connection Workshop, Metal Arts Guild of Georgia, 2017, Atlanta, GA
Titanium Workshop, Wayne Art Center, 2018, Wayne, PA
Coloring Titanium Workshop, Kutztown University Crafts Department/Metals, 2018, Kutztown, PA
Making Beautiful Sculptured Jewelry with Titanium Workshop, FSG South East Chapter, 2018, Palm Beach, FL
Making Beautiful Sculptured Jewelry with Titanium Workshop, FSG West Coast Chapter, 2018, Tampa, FL
Hand Sawing with Titanium, Coloring and Design Workshop, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman, January and December 2019, Lancaster, PA
Making Beautiful Sculptured Jewelry with Titanium Workshop, Snowfarm The New England Craft Program 2019, Williamsburg, MA
A Link or Two Workshop, FSG South East Chapter 2019, Palm Peach, FL
The Art of the Ring Workshop, FSG South Coast Chapter 2020, Miami, FL
Jewelry and Design Workshop, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 2020, Reading, PA
Simple but Unique: The Art of the Layered Ring, Arizona Designer Craft and Art, 2021, Online workshop
Making Titanium Jewelry Workshop, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman, 2021, Lancaster, PA
Sculptural Titanium Jewelry, Metalwerx School for Jewelry, 2021, Online Workshop
Titanium Workshop, Pocosin School of Fine Craft, 2022, Online workshop
Attach- Connect- Link, MetalWerx School of Jewelry, 2022, Online workshop
The Art of the Layered Ring Workshop, Metal Art Guild of Georgia, 2022, Atlanta, GA
Beautiful Metal Heart Maker Date Workshop, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 2022, Reading, PA
Creating Fantastic Sculptural Views in Jewelry with Titanium Workshop, Goggle Works Center for the Arts, 2022, Reading, PA
Layered Pendant Workshop, Creative Metal Arts Guild of Portland, 2022, Online workshop
Jewelry and Design Workshop, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 2022, Reading, PA
The Beautiful Heart Workshop, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman, 2022, Lancaster, PA
Valentine’s Metals Maker Date Workshop, Goggleworks Center for the Arts, 2023, Reading, PA
Making Beautiful Sculptural Jewelry with Titanium Workshop, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, 2023, Deer Isle, ME