University of Wyoming Logo

Metalsmithing

Minor

Apply Now Visit Campus

Person making jewelry

Pursue your dream career in metalwork and jewelry with a metalsmithing minor

Metalsmithing is a hands-on, creative discipline that thrives at the University of Wyoming.

Students get access to exciting learning opportunities and a new metalsmithing studio that includes all of the equipment needed to perfect your craft.  The skills learned in this program prepare students for professional internships, job placement in the jewelry design industry and post-graduate educational experiences.

Request Info

Program Details

Tuition and Fees

Please visit our cost of attendance page

Program Requirements

Courses & Curriculum

Department

College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Visual Arts

About the Metalsmithing Minor

The metalsmithing minor is a 24-credit-hour program that combines foundational art and drawing courses with advanced metalsmithing work. Throughout the program, students get comprehensive, hands-on experience with the design and creation of small-scale metalwork and jewelry.

Student metalsmithing
Visual arts class

 

Students pursuing a B.A. in Art History may minor in a studio discipline, including metalsmithing. However, students pursuing a B.A. or B.F.A. in Studio Art or a B.A. in Art Education cannot minor in a specific studio discipline.

Students should plan on a minimum of five semesters to complete a metalsmithing minor due to upper-division course prerequisites.

Please note that all metalsmithing minor courses require a minimum grade of C to count toward the minor.

Two students sitting on a bench smiling at each other

What can you do with a metalsmithing minor?

Metalsmithing students are prepared for a variety of artistic careers. Our graduates pursue careers as jewelers, entrepreneurs, professors and more! Many of our graduates pursue additional education in prestigious graduate programs, including those at Virginia Commonwealth University and Pennsylvania Western University, Edinboro. Grads additionally pursue non-academic appointments at craft schools like Peters Valley School of Craft and the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Student metalsmithing

Here are a few of the ways our metalsmithing alumni are getting creative:

  • Assistant Professor of Art at Casper College
  • Visiting Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Wyoming
  • Museum Preparator at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne
  • Gallerist in Cody, Wyoming
  • Professional Bench Jewelers across Wyoming and Minnesota 
mountain logo

Metalsmithing Minor Program Highlights

UW’s metalsmithing degree sets students up for success by providing experiential learning opportunities and studio space with specialty equipment. Here are a few things you can look forward to as part of the program!

Hands-On Learning

Metalsmithing students have many opportunities to practice their skills and participate in experiential learning opportunities. Students are encouraged to study abroad, travel to national conferences, attend summer sessions at renowned craft and jewelry schools and participate in workshops at neighboring universities.

Residencies & Workshops

Metalsmithing students are eligible to complete workshops and residencies at nationally renowned craft schools including Penland School of Craft, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. UW and the Department of Visual Arts offer scholarships to help offset the cost of travel and attending these events.

 

Specialty Facilities & Equipment

All metalsmithing students have access to UW’s cutting-edge art facility, the Visual Arts Building. This building houses a new, multi-room metalsmithing studio that features 15 classroom benches, critique space and dedicated studio space for advanced students. The studio also includes a soldering area with acetylene torches, kilns for large and small-scale enameling, metal clay and casting, durston rolling mill, shears and hydraulic presses, a casting room with dedicated equipment for centrifugal and vacuum casting and a hammer room with anvils, stakes and a comprehensive selection of hammers for forming, raising, chasing and forging at large and small scales.

Student Organizations

The art department is home to several active student organizations. As a metalsmithing minor, here are a few you may be interested in:

Student Art League
Wyoming Sculpture Society
Ceramic Arts Guild

 

You were so influential in helping me understand what I wanted to do. I had never touched metal before your class and as soon as I did, I knew it was a medium that I would have fun with. Not only did you teach me the tools that I hope to be using for the rest of my life, but you introduced me to a huge community of people that I can connect with and draw inspiration from. It's because of those connections that I know I'll never forget to make art.

Related Programs

Interested in a metalsmithing degree? These programs may also be of interest to you:

Apply to UW
Visit Campus
Request Info

Contact Us

We're Eager to Help!

Department of Visual Arts

Visual Arts Building, Room 110

Department 3138, 1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-3269

Email: visualarts@uwyo.edu