Contact:

Barbara Walter, bewalter@syr.edu

Department of Art, ComArt Building, 315-443-3700

The jewelry and metalsmithing program leads to a B.F.A. degree and teaches students to manipulate a variety of metals with tools for aesthetic ends. The flexibility of the curriculum allows students to select the directions they wish their work to take, such as jewelry making, silversmithing, or processes that move across these traditions. In fact, students are encouraged to experiment across media lines so that traditional involvement with non-precious and precious metals is mixed with the exploration of plastics, woods, gemstones, and other materials.

Students in the program make objects that range from the highly functional to the purely expressive. They study such jewelry and metalsmithing techniques as forming, joining, molding, stonecutting, stone setting, and surface decorating. Related studies in the classical and contemporary uses of materials and tools, rendering, and small sculpture provide topics for independent research and investigation.

Excellent studio facilities and attentive instruction from professional artists provide a balanced experience in fine crafts making and industrial processes. Through close contact with faculty members, students participate in frequent group and individual critiques and are assisted in identifying and pursuing program and career goals.

The program in jewelry and metalsmithing requires 126 credits. First-year art and design majors are invited to enroll in introductory level classes.