Jewelry and Metalsmithing
BFA Jewelry and Metalsmithing 
The metals area provides a core course on basic techniques
and historical information, which encourages an understanding of the philosophies
underlying the use and production of metalwork.
BFA candidates in metals advance from this course through classes that focus
on advanced techniques and design situations:
• wax carving and casting by both centrifugal and vacuum methods
• simple production methods, forging and forming
• fine jewelry fabrication techniques
• hollowware techniques and raising
• enameling, plating, mold making, stone setting
• and various other historical and contemporary means of working with
different media.
2 rolling mills
draw bench
vacuum invester/caster
bead/sandblast cabinet
2 gas burn-out kilns
2 enameling kilns
10 soldering stations
acid/pickle areas
2 large buffing machines
5 flexible shaft machines
steam cleaner
copper plating electroforming system ultrasonic cleaner
anodizing system
Kerr Handi-Melt furnace
wax injector
12-ton shop press
large sheet-metal shear
Beverly shear
box/bending brake
ring sizer/stretcher
2 drill presses
electronic scale
Students have easy access to gold, silver, copper, brass, precious and semi-precious
gemstones, as well as tools and supplies from the leading jewelry manufacturing
firms. Studio space consists of a suite of five interconnecting rooms which
allow the isolation of various procedures. A large bench/design area serves
for lectures as well as simple sawing, filing, sanding, etc. A soldering/casting
area provides ample space to work on large scale sculptural objects as well
as jewelry. All heavy work (forging, forming, raising, milling, etc.) is carried
out in a separate room, while the buffing area is set aside for final finishing,
in addition to wax carving, grinding, and drilling. A fifth room is dedicated
to the private use of BFA candidates in Jewelry and Metals as a studio, with
each student having a bench and storage area. The intent is to provide advanced
students with a sense of community, and a place for uninterrupted work. The
Metals area also makes use of other department facilities nearby, such as
a wood-working shop, and a computer lab for the application of CAD. Available
equipment allows Metals students to accomplish almost any design task:
Because a great number of EKU's jewelry graduates have located their businesses in the central Kentucky area, students have ready access to experienced practitioners. This is coupled with a visiting artist program that brings artist-metalsmiths to campus for lectures and workshops. Two scholarship programs have been initiated for jewelry and metals students. One award is given on the basis of a design competition run each fall; the other is an annual award based on general merit that is funded by donations from a major precious stone supplier.
Courses and Descriptions
ART 240 - Jewelry and Metalsmithing
I .
Provides an introduction to metal as an expressive media and acquaints students
with various materials, techniques and tools associated with the art form.
Students explore piercing, sawing, embossing, soldering, simple stone setting
and casting.
ART 341 - Jewelry and Metalsmithing II I, II.
An extension of the introductory course. Advanced study develops students
understanding of metal as an art medium and provides opportunity for personal
expression. Students explore raising, sinking, forging, casting, etching,
enameling and advanced fabrication.
ART 343 - Jewelry and Metalsmithing III
I, II. An advanced course emphasizing continued creative exploration and personal
expression within jewelry and metalsmithing. Students explore raising, sinking,
forging, casting, etching, enameling and advanced fabrication.
ART 344 - Jewelry and Metalsmithing IV
I, II. An advanced course emphasizing continued creative exploration within
jewelry and metalsmithing. Advanced problems develop students understanding
of metal as an art medium and provide opportunity for personal expression.
Students explore raising, sinking, forging, casting, etching, enameling and
advanced fabrication.
ART 443 - Jewelry and Metalsmithing V
Formerly ART 439. Designed for the advanced student pursuing a career as a
professional jewelry/metalsmithing. Attention given to developing a personal
design philosophy. Students will submit a work proposal for the semester.
ART 444 - BFA Jewelry and Metalsmithing
Formerly ART 440. Final exit course in BFA jewelry and metalsmithing area
with emphasis on professional development. Course includes preparation for
senior show, writing of senior thesis, and portfolio assembly.
Samples of STUDENTS Work
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