Superbly Sintered 2024 Diana M. Schuhmacher

Juror – Michael David Sturlin, USA

Michael David Sturlin is a renowned educator, writer, and Master Goldsmith, celebrating his 50th year at the bench in 2023.

Michael’s award winning jewelry received recognition from the World Gold Council, the American Jewelry Design Council, and Jewelers of America New Designers Gallery.

His work is included in the book Masters Gold, and has been featured in more than a dozen national and international jewelry magazines.

An acclaimed instructor in our craft, Michael is a past faculty member of the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, Mesa Arts Center, and Metalwerx.

Michael authored Metalsmithing 101 – a seven year column in Art Jewelry magazine, and Studio Insights – a five year column in Metal Clay Artist Magazine along with feature articles in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, MJSA Journal, Metal Arts Guild of Canada, and Art Jewelry magazine.

Through the In Depth Retreat Sessions at his private studio in Scottsdale Arizona along with an international program of visiting artist workshops, Michael shares five decades of goldsmithing experience and professional insight with students at all levels from enthusiastic beginner to accomplished professionals.

www.michaelsturlinstudio.com
Instagram: michaelsturlinstudio
Facebook: MichaelSturlinStudio
Facebook: michael.david.sturlin

Juror – Noortje Meijerink, Netherlands

Noortje has been a ceramicist and teacher for more than 30 years. Her work was and can be seen at exhibitions and international ceramics fairs in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, China, and the USA.

She prefers the craftsmanship of the throwing wheel and the precision of the sgraffito technique. Her most recognized work are birds and shapes carved in relief on the porcelain pots and vases, colored with a wash.

Combining different forms of ‘clay’ is a technical challenge which is more than worth the effort. The combination of shiny silver and delicate porcelain shows to full advantage in her jewelry.

Her work appeared in many publications including: PMC Decade 2006, PMC Technic 2007, PMC Guild Annual 3 & 5, KLEI keramisch magazine, (article about Speedy in Bronze clay), Art Jewelry magazine and Contemporary Metal Clay Rings by Hattie Sanderson.

www.noortjemeijerink.nl
Instagram: noortje.meijerink
Facebook: noortje.meijerink
Facebook: KeramiekNoortjeMeijerink

Juror – Christopher C. Darway, USA

Christopher Darway has been working in metals for over 45 years as a designer, teacher and artisan. Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in New Jersey, he received a BFA in craft design from the Philadelphia College of Art. Over the years he has sold and exhibited work through galleries, shops and craft shows, including ACC and Smithsonian Craft Shows.

He is a two-time recipient of the New Jersey State Council of the Arts Award. Work has been exhibited in Germany, Japan (International Pearl Design Contest, prize winner) and England. He has taught at the University of the Arts, University of Delaware, and Montclair State University, NJ. He’s been a senior PMC instructor for Rio Grande, past president of the Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths, and writer for Art Jewelry Magazine.

He currently teaches at the Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA and the University of the Arts, Master Lecturer, Continuing Studies Program, Philadelphia, PA.

Website and Technology Committee

Develop and maintain the architecture and functionality of the website
Interpret the AMCAW brand for the website and digital newsletters
Create new sections, pages, and blog posts on the website as needed, working with the communications and other committees
Execute digital newsletter setup and distribution

Member Engagement Committee

Develop a strategy to nurture existing members ensuring retention and encouraging every member to become an AMCAW promoter
Grow membership through the provision of new initiatives, consistent promotion, and community engagement
Promote member benefits in dynamic ways and through diverse channels to increase the profile of AMCAW
Engage with worldwide metal clay influencers to encourage and promote membership benefits
Seek opportunities for AMCAW to be represented through online channels
Engage with the wider artistic community at conferences and other events, including those focused on metal clay as well as those representing other mediums or disciplines

Guild Support Committee

Create resources to help new guilds get started
Develop meeting topics and other tools to help existing guilds prosper
Create and test a virtual guild concept
Identify and foster connections between members who are interested in being in a guild

Finance Committee

Develop annual budgets to reflect organizational priorities.
Develop accounting systems and practices to provide financial support and guidance to the organization.
Assist and the support the Executive Board during annual audits.
Prepare all financial documents included submissions to state and federal authorities.

Fundraising Committee

Foster relationships to secure corporate sponsorships
Develop strategies to encourage private donations
Identify and apply for grant funding
Create other opportunities to raise funds, such raffles or auctions
Solicit giveaways for prizes and conference goody bags

Education Committee

Curate existing available resources and present the information so it’s useful and relevant for beginner, intermediate and advanced audiences
Create new educational content for artists of all levels
Develop challenges to push the community to stretch and grow
Generate tutorials and other educational content to be shared via trade media partners under the AMCAW banner
Develop educational content for newsletters, blogs, etc
Curate and create business development resources to help metal clay artists be successful in the business of teaching and selling their work
Develop metal clay curriculum resources for high school and university programs

Curating for Excellence Committee

Develop printed high-end juried publications
Facilitate juried online showcases
Seek opportunities for juried gallery and museum exhibits
Provide judging for challenges
Identify opportunities to provide jurors for non-AMCAW exhibits or publications

Conference Committee

Plan and execute high quality AMCAW conferences on a recurring basis
Ensure that the conferences have an international scope
Possibly provide support to regional conferences

Communications Committee

Create and share content and moderate discussion on social media platforms
Develop digital newsletter content for members and non-members
Generate blog content
Pursue opportunities to promote AMCAW via PR and trade media
Provide editing support to the entire organization to ensure consistent voice in our messages
Provide graphic support to the entire organization to ensure consistent branding of our materials
Provide marketing communications and strategy support for initiatives across the entire organization to ensure consistent messaging and branding

Advanced Studies Committee

The mission of this Committee is to support and engage members of the world-wide metal clay community by developing and implementing practical, hands-on educational programs, welcoming makers of all skill levels and perspectives, and providing guidance as they pursue a higher level of personal excellence.

Traveling in Autumn

Diana M. Schuhmacher

Superbly Sintered Exhibition, Bradford, UK 2024

Back to Exhibition page

Cuff
1.7in (high) x 2.2in (wide) x 1.3in (deep)

Inspiration
Inspired by the nature and the serenity from Japan, the artist is trying to convey two emotions in this bracelet: trust and vulnerability.

Techniques
The deer, the stag, the maple branches, and the woman with the umbrella were carved and sculpted by hand. Paper was used for the texture next to the branches. A texture mat with the impression of a tree bark created the texture for the contour. The middle piece was constructed without using a mold and it rotates when worn.

After the piece was fired added pieces of turquoise, coral and amber were glued in the empty space, capturing a maple forest in the Autumn.

In the end, the silver was patinaed.

Materials
Art clay 950
Turquoise
Coral
Amber

Juror’s Comments:

This interesting bracelet demonstrates a good use of the materials with a design that fit well together to evoke the emotions behind the piece.

About the Artist – Diana M. Schuhmacher, Romania

Diana has worked for many years in projects related to the architectural world. In 2020 she turned her passion for jewelry into a daily new activity. She had exceptional mentors attending different schools like: Assamblage Institute of Art and Design, Art&Gold by Platon, Artkimia Art and Jewelry Studio and independent one-on-one courses with Fabrizio Aquafresca, Gelu Platon and Pál Tóth, obtaining certificates in classic and contemporary fine silver jewelry manufacturing, wax modeling, cloisonné and champlevé enamels, filigree, chasing & repousse, fold forming and patina, plique-a-jour, miniature enamel painting.

In 2023 she was introduced to the Art Clay by Corina Gheorghe from Artkimia school.

In 2023 she participated at:

International Silver Contest in Tokyo where she was awarded with Honorable Mention for the piece: “Time imprints”
Romanian Jewelry Week
Artistar Jewels/ Milano Jewelry Week

She works with metals such as silver, copper, bronze, gold combined with stones and/or other materials.

Back to Exhibition page

Superbly Sintered 2024: Masterful Designs in Metal Clay celebrating the very best designs from metal clay artists around the world.

22 pieces of exceptional work were chosen by a distinguished jury. The exhibition will be shown at SINTER 24 in Bradford, UK, May 2024

Jurors

Michael David Sturlin

Michael is a renowned educator, writer, and Master Goldsmith, celebrating his 50th year at the bench in 2023.

Noortje Meijerink

Noortje, is a Dutch ceramist working with porcelain and metal clay.

Christopher C. Darway

Christopher has been working in metals for over 45 years as a designer, teacher and artisan.

Website and Technology Committee

Member Engagement Committee

Guild Support Committee

Finance Committee

Fundraising Committee

Education Committee

Curating for Excellence Committee

Conference Committee

Communications Committee

Advanced Studies Committee

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Traveling in Autumn

Diana M. Schuhmacher

Juror’s Comments:

Jurors

Michael David Sturlin

Noortje Meijerink

Christopher C. Darway