Superbly Sintered 2024 Marilyn Cook

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

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Create and test a virtual guild concept
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Finance Committee

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Assist and the support the Executive Board during annual audits.
Prepare all financial documents included submissions to state and federal authorities.

Fundraising Committee

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Education Committee

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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

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Conference Committee

Plan and execute high quality AMCAW conferences on a recurring basis
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Communications Committee

Create and share content and moderate discussion on social media platforms
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Pursue opportunities to promote AMCAW via PR and trade media
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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.

Golden Sunshine

Marilyn Cook

Superbly Sintered Exhibition, Bradford, UK 2024

Back to Exhibition page

Pendant
2.5in (6cm)

Inspiration
In crafting the golden sun piece with dichroic glass and fine silver, I aim to celebrate the unity of all living things in our world. Each element of this artwork symbolizes our shared essence beneath the radiant embrace of the sun. As the sun smiles upon us, it reminds us of our commonality and shared experiences, transcending boundaries and differences. Through this piece, I seek to evoke a sense of warmth, togetherness, and the inherent connection that binds us all together under the encompassing light of the sun.

Techniques
I fused some dichroic glass and picked out the lovely gold one for the piece. The cab was my inspiration, and it grew from there. I cut out and dried the layers and the added each of them, except for the first layer around the cab itself.

My inspiration of the piece just naturally unfolded during the process that led me to the final creation.

The fragile handmade snakes were of course, the most challenging, but a few failures just made me more determined to complete the piece.

Materials

Hand fused dichroic glass by me

PMC Flex

Juror’s Comments:

The features of this pendant design are a commendable balance of shape, pattern, and a good variety of texture. It really captures the heat of the subject matter.

About the Artist – Marilyn Cook, USA

I have been inspired by so many beautiful, natural places in my travels and try to interpret them into unique wearable art.

I started designing in the 80’s when we visited a Pacific atoll, where they farmed pearls which I used in my jewelry. Later, in Australia, I incorporated topazes and opals into my designs.

In 2003 I settled on St. Croix, USVI, where I used old pottery shards called Chaney found around old Danish sugar plantations in my designs. I still enjoy including these bits of history into my pieces. Certified as an Art Clay Senior Instructor and in PMC, I teach jewelry design, enameling, and metal clay to eager students who want to enlarge their creative world at my studio on the Treasure Coast, Florida. I still continue to be inspired by nature every day.

marilyncookdesigns.com
marilyncookdesigns.etsy.com

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.

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Golden Sunshine

Marilyn Cook

Juror’s Comments:

Jurors

Michael David Sturlin

Noortje Meijerink

Christopher C. Darway