Metalsmithing encompasses rich historical traditions and contemporary approaches to fabricating with non-ferrous metals such as copper, nickel silver, brass and silver. Exploration of body adornment, jewelry and small sculptural forms are supported within the Metalsmithing program. Students learn beginning skills including sawing, filing, drilling, pierce-work, dapping, milling, patinas and hydraulic press forming. Intermediate and advanced Metalsmithing coursework builds on these basic skills by introducing enameling, lost-wax casting, fabricated hinges, hammer forming techniques and granulation. Professional practices including documentation of artwork, writing artist statements, building a resume, and exhibiting artwork are an integral part of intermediate and advanced level Metalsmithing courses. Students' personal artistic voices are fostered through a balance of conceptual, aesthetic and technical development in their work, bolstered by independent research and regular in-class critical discussion.
Regional and national conferences available for student participation include: SNAG/Society of North American Goldsmiths annual conference and COMA/Colorado Metalsmithing Association annual conference. Annual field trips are made to CSU/Colorado State University to participate in visiting artist workshops and demonstrations in the Metalsmithing Program in addition to our own visiting artists in Metalsmithing at UW.
Within the Art and Art History Program, students have the opportunity to be a part of art organizations.
Senior Studios can be acquired by application and are for advanced students enrolled in at least one credit hour of upper level courses in the Art and Art History Program to work on their creative research safely and independently.
One of the most successful programs we have is the Post Undergraduate Assistantship. Senior graduating students can apply for a Post Undergraduate Assistantship for the year following graduation.
For the B.A. in Studio Art & B.F.A. in Studio Art major requirements, visit the Undergraduate Major. For Minor requirements, visit Minors in Art.
Leah Hardy
Professor, Metalsmithing
2350. Metalsmithing I. 3. Introduces basic technical approaches to fabricating small scale, non-ferrous metals (silver, copper, brass, nickel) including sawing, soldering, filing, drilling, form raising/pressing, texturing, and finishing processes. Investigation into the rich history of metalsmithing as well as innovative contemporary applications - sculpture and as body ornamentation - are fostered. A variety of individual projects in a studio environment along with critical discussion and presentations address aesthetic, conceptual and technical aspects of metalsmithing. Prerequisite:ART 1120.
3350. Metalsmithing II. 3. Introduces intermediate approaches to fabricating small scale, non-ferrous metals including hinge fabrication, hammer raised forming, enameling and lost-wax casting. Historical and innovative contemporary applications - sculptural and body ornamentation-based - is fostered. Individual studio projects along with critical discussion and presentations address aesthetic, conceptual, and technical aspects of metalsmithing. Prerequisites: ART 2000 and 2350.
4355. Metalsmithing III. 3 (Max. 6). Introduces advanced fabrication and surface techniques which build on skills developed in Metalsmithing I and II. Students propose a body of work for the semester based on individual aesthetic, conceptual and technical interests. Professional practices including resume writing, documenting, presenting and exhibiting artwork are addressed at this advanced level. Prerequisites: ART 2000 and 3350.
4360. Metalsmithing: Special Topics. 3 (Max. 9). Focus is on specific techniques in the field of Metalsmithing for the semester's duration to allow for an in-depth exploration rotating between topics such as Granulation, Silver Clay, Lost-Wax Casting, and Cold Connections/Mechanisms. Assigned projects support students' proposed sculptural or body ornamentation-based work. Prerequisites: ART 2000 and 2350.
