Indiana University

The Indiana University Metalsmithing + Jewelry Design program focuses on the development of technical skills in traditional and experimental metalworking and jewelry, as well as growth in a personal and creative direction. With one-on-one professional guidance, students refine their skills in formal design, craftsmanship, and creative concepts. Our graduates are prepared to teach at the university level or to practice as a professional artist, metalsmith, or jeweler.

History:
The Metalsmithing + Jewelry Design program at Indiana University has a long and distinguished history in the field. Initiated in 1947 when Alma Eikerman accepted a position to teach design, jewelry and metalsmithing with the directive of building a strong program, very few of which existed at the time. Professor Eikerman met this challenge with great success and an energetic determination that has become legendary.

When Professor Eikerman retired in 1978, the program continued under the innovative leadership of Leslie Leuppe, and in 1983 Randy Long was hired to head the program. It has flourished under her direction, with the assistance of a large number of talented and dedicated visiting instructors and graduate students. Graduates of the Indiana University Metalsmithing + Jewelry Design program have established successful careers as distinguished professionals and university educators both nationally and internationally.

In 2004 a new opportunity presented itself with the introduction of a new faculty member Dr. Nicole Jacquard and her expertise in new technologies. With the addition of Professor Jacquard to the department the IU legacy has continued to flourish with graduates who are proving to lead the field in new directions.

With the retirement of Distinguished Professor Randy Long in 2018, Indiana University is proud to add Joshua Kosker as Visiting Assistant Professor to the Metalsmithing + Jewelry Design faculty. Kosker’s fresh approach to thinking through making and material exploration brings a newfound vigor and balance to the program’s longstanding history of integrating traditional craft practices with current artistic trends and movements.

Read more about the school: https://soaad.indiana.edu/about/index.html.


Facilities:
Students have access to a range of traditional materials and innovative technologies - from smithing stakes and hammers to 3-D modeling software. Housed in the Fine Arts Building, metals facilities consist of two undergraduate classrooms, private B.F.A. and M.F.A. studio spaces with individual workbenches, a separate graduate student tool room, a soundproof smithing room, and a chemical room. All studios are equipped with professional ventilation, all types of torches, and storage.

The IU Metalsmithing + Jewelry Design program is particularly known for its broad collection of smithing stakes and hammers. Major pieces of equipment include rolling mills, a Cavallin drawbench, large capacity sandblaster, a Jet variable speed wood & metal bandsaw, jigsaw, Profiform bending break and shear, Beverly Shear, Jet belt & disc sander, Jet oscillating spindle sander, drill press, two Dumore precision drill presses, centrifugal casting machine, Kerr injectomatic II wax injector vulcanizer, lapidary equipment and diamond saws, Vcella enameling kilns, electroforming bath, oxygen/acetylene torches and buffing machines.

Other resources available within the Indiana University Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design include a large-scale metal and woodworking studio, and students can create work using various CAM and RPM processes available on campus at one of the three MAD Labs (Makerspace for Art and Design). Equipment and services include 3D printing (FDM, SLA, and full-color binder jet), laser cutting and engraving, vinyl cutting and plotting, 3D laser scanning, CNC routing and plasma cutting.

Centrally located within the Indiana University Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, the Grunwald Gallery of Art presents contemporary works by both professional and student artists in a special exhibition format. Exhibits incorporate art from a variety of contemporary genres and approaches, and can be experimental or traditional.

The gallery is conceived as a visual art laboratory, allowing artists to participate in the installation of their works and to interact with students and the public. The gallery hosts more than thirty exhibits annually by students from the Department of Studio Art, focusing on work by B.F.A. and M.F.A. students.

The Grunwald Gallery frequently collaborates with artists, scientists, and scholars to produce exhibits that interpret visual art in a broader scientific or humanities context.

IU is also home to the Eskanazi Art Museum, designed by I.M. Pei, a world class museum that is attached to the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design. The Burton Y. Berry collection of ancient jewelry, housed in the museum, is one of the five largest collections of ancient jewelry in the world and students often use this resource as inspiration for their work and research. In addition, IU has one of the top Fine Art Libraries in the country with a special periodical room and state-of-the-art computer access to collection and databases worldwide.


Grant and scholarship information and exchange program with links to more information on the school’s website:

Indiana University awards scholarships for undergraduates based on academic achievement and other factors. For maximum scholarship consideration, incoming freshmen must apply for admission by November 1. For more information, visit https://scholarships.indiana.edu/scholarships/index.html

Application information and a link to more information on the school’s website:

Applications are due on January 15th of each year. Students are admitted to the program in the fall semester on a space available basis.

For more information about applying to the MFA program, visit
https://graduate.indiana.edu/admissions/apply.html

For more information about applying to the BFA program, visit
https://soaad.indiana.edu/student-life/current-students/bfa-admissions/index.html
 

List of past graduates:
Sue Amendolora, Lee Boroson, Kathy Buezkiewicz, Shannon Carney, Jack Da Silva, Marilyn Da Silva, Cynthia Eid, Susan Ewing, Darlys Ewoldt, Tom Ferrero, Anne Fiala, Carrie Garrott, John Garrott, Robly Glover, Arthur Hash, Mindy Herrin, Susan Hunt, Reiko Ichimura, Youske Inoue, Seung-Hee Kim, Andrew Kuebeck, Lisa Johnson, Linda La Roche, Leslie Leupp, Sim Luttin, Richard Mafong, Alix Mikesell, Tom Muir, Paulette Myers, James Obermeier, Byung Wuk Oh, Komelia Okim, Myung Jae Park, Anya Pinchuck, Natalya Pinchuk, Carol Sakihara, Marjorie Schick, Dindy Sheridan, Helen Shirk, Nancy Slagle, Kye Yeon Som, Lin Stanionis, Douglas Steakley, Tracy Steepy, Brook Marks-Swanson, Carol-lynn Swol, Billie Jean Thiede, Sheena Thomas, Vincent Pontillo- Verrastro, Aric Verrastro, Gina Westgard.