Jewelry / Metals

A

Students will explore the methods of working with various metals in the construction of jewelry. Techniques of soldering, cutting, sanding, polishing, and casting will be presented.  Quality craftsmanship will be encouraged in the construction of objects such as rings, bracelets, pendants, pins or other metal objects.  Students will begin developing skills in assessing their artwork and explore the cultural relevance and aesthetics of jewelry / art metals within this foundation course for Jewelry / Metal Arts B, C and Studio.

B

A continuation of Jewelry A with the student encouraged to explore several media in order to develop a competency and continuity of expression.  Emphasis will be on the sculptural and textural qualities of metal, creative solutions, and quality craftsmanship.  Students will continue to assess their artwork, explore the aesthetics and cultural relevance of art metals and begin to pose and solve their own jewelry / art metals design and construction problems. 

C

A continuation of Jewelry B with the student encouraged to explore several media in order to develop a competency and continuity of expression.  In this student-directed, instructor-guided course, students will develop advanced skills in metal fabrication and casting.  Additional methods and uses of materials may be explored.  Emphasis will be on problem posing / solving, creative thinking, originality, quality craftsmanship and presentaion.  Students will continue to explore aesthetics, cultural relevance and refine their critiquing skills.  Students will maintain a process/product portfolio.  Successful completion at this level will allow students to pursue jewelry / art metals problems independently at the studio level.