I have a masters degree in Sculpture and Jewelry. The concepts and materials are basically the same in both, visually and intellectually — the only difference is the scale. My inspiration is abstract landscapes. I use Mixed Media: Gold, Goldleaf, Sterling, Steel, Glass, Rubber, Wood and Unique Gemstones. There is beauty in the materials but I value an original concept over any material in my work. My form is usually the circle… Minimal, Basic, Constant, Universal.
Jan Craft
Jan Craft –- Resume
I use the circle as a base to work from. Its simplicity never intrudes on other images. It is a basic shape that has been used by many cultures to symbolize similar ideas… perfection, harmony, motion, balance, and life. And the circle is symbolic of nature’s many cycles.
My horizontal lines are often abstractions of landscapes using nature’s references– cast sticks, wire to suggest horizon lines, pattern welded Damascus steel, rust, and textured surfaces.
Studies
Master of Fine Arts, Metals, 1987, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Special Study, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1977, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Teaching Experience
Instructor, Gaston College, Dallas, North Carolina
Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Metals
Instructor, Sacred Heart College, Belmont, North Carolina
Beginning and Intermediate Metals
Instructor, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois – Graduate Student
Beginning and Intermediate Metals
Business Experience: Owned & Operated a Jewelry Gallery for Twelve Years
Selected Exhibitions
2009 Solo Exhibit, “Cycles from Nature and Cycles in Metal”, Jeanne Rauch Gallery, Gaston College, Dallas, NC
2009 “Recycle Reuse,” Piedmont Craftsman Inc., Winston Salem, NC
2008 “Fall Exhibit,” Penland School of Crafts, Penland, N.C
2008 “45 years of Inspired Design,” Piedmont Craftsman Inc., Winston Salem, NC
2007-2008 “Anti-War Metal” Invitational, Traveling Exhibit, Thomas Mann Gallery,New Orleans, LA
2006 “Martini Squared,” An Invitational, Thomas Mann Gallery I/O, New Orleans, LA
2005 “Visual Harvest” 1st Place Award – Jeanne Rauch Fine Arts Gallery, Dallas, NC
2005 “Imagination Taking Form” –Invitational Sculptural Exhibit, Cleveland Arts Council, Shelby,NC
2001 “Bringing it Home” – Invitational, Wellington B. Gray Art Museum, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
1998 International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art (SOFA) of Chicago – Exhibited for Society of North American Goldsmiths
1998 “In Hand In Home” Handmade Hardware – NBBJ Gallery – Seattle, WA Exhibit at Society of North American Goldsmiths Conference
1998 “Pearls, Pearls, Pearls” – Monroe Art Gallery – Seattle, WA, Exhibit at Society of North American Goldsmiths Conference
1988 Solo Exhibit: “Jan Craft– Metalsmith”, Gaston County Art & History Museum, Dallas, NC
1988 Society of North American Goldsmiths – Juried Show, Joan Michilin Collection – New York, NY
1987 “Jewelry: The New Spirit” – Martha Schneider Gallery – Highland Park, IL
1987 “Works in Metal: Jan Craft” – Craft Alliance Gallery – St. Louis, MO
1987 “American Crafts Invitational” – On View Downtown Gallery – Indianapolis, IN
1987 “Metals: Jan Craft” – Middle Tennessee State University – Murfreesboro, TN
1987 “Invitational Exhibit” National Ornamental Metals Museum – Memphis, TN
1987 “Form Beyond Function” – Traveling Exhibit – Mitchell Museum – Mt. Vernon, IL
1986 “Wichita National” – Wichita Art Association – Wichita, KS
1986 Juried Competition – Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts – Gatlinburg, TN
1985 “Contemporary Metals” – Downey Museum of Art – Downey, CA
1985 “Metals Expression” – Appalachian School of Crafts – Smithville, TN
1985 “A Little Erotic” – Pinnacle Gallery – Rochester, NY
1985 “Feast of Fun – Toys & Ornaments” – Piedmont Craftsman – Winston Salem, NC
1985 “Metals Invitational” – Doris Ulman Gallery – Berea College – Berea, KY
1980 “Christmas Ornament Invitational” – Mint Museum, Charlotte, N.C.
Gallery Affiliations
Penland Gallery – Penland, NC
Martha Schneider Gallery — Highland Park, IL
National Ornamental Metals Museum — Memphis, TN
Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc. – Winston Salem, NC
Fire and Iron Gallery – Surrey, England
Christa Faut Gallery – Cornelius, NC
Professional Memberships
Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)
Artist Blacksmith Association of North America
International Damascus Society
National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Publications
Anvil’s Ring An international magazine for blacksmiths and metalsmiths – Volume 32 Summer 2004
“The History of Metals from So. Illinois University, Carbondale – Dedication of New Smithy Honoring L. Brent Kington”
Metalsmith Magazine Work featured in “Exhibition In Print”, international circulation, 1998 Volume 18 #4
Charlotte Magazine “Jewels from the Heart” – Four page feature interview and photos of work, Nov–Dec 1997.
Korean Crafts Monthly A Companion to Monthly DESIGN– Special Issue, June 1988
“New Directions in American Metalsmithing”
American Craft Magazine Featured photo – “Jewelry: The New Spirit”
Dec 1987 – Jan 1988
Metalsmith Magazine Review of “Jan Craft, Metalsmith” Spring 1989, Solo Exhibit.
Judge — 2004 Cleveland County Art Council
Spring Art Exhibit – Competition – Shelby, NC
Moderator — 2001 Moderator for Panel discussion, SNAG Conference,
“The Beginning of SNAG”, Society of North American
Goldsmiths, St. Louis, MO
Juror / Curator — 1990-95 “Springfest” A Spring Festival in Downtown Charlotte, NC. Juried work of national artists and craftsman, three day festival.
Visiting Artist – 1995 – Kentucky Wesleyn College – Owensboro, KY. – three day visit – Slide presentation, gallery presentation, critique of students work.
Slide Presentation – 1985 – at New York University, “History of Metals Program at Southern Illinois State University at Carbondale, IL, Thirty Five Years.”
Participant
National Ornamental Metals Museum
Annual Repair Days & Auction Benefit
Memphis, TN
Southern Illinois Metals Society
Annual Conference & Auction
Carbondale, IL