Texas Tech University will host the 2017 Texas Metals Symposium on Oct. 7 in the Matador Room of the Student Union Building. Hosted by the School of Art, the symposium will bring in various artists and exhibition curators to speak about their work and the inspiration behind it.

The speakers at the symposium include:

Joyce J. Scott, a multimedia visual and performance artist who constructs beaded sculptures incorporating glass, clay, textiles and other found objects that address social topics including racism, violence and gender inequality. Scott’s work has been exhibited more than 60 times in the U.S. at museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as well as in Europe, Africa and Asia. Scott has received honors from the National Endowment of the Arts, the Anonymous was a Woman Award, the 2016 MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship as well as many other awards and fellowships.

David Freda, an artist, metalsmith and naturalist. Freda has taught in various institutions from coast to coast and has contributed to publications, including Metalsmith Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar Magazine. Freda has exhibited his work in 21 national and international jurrored exhibitions and his work is currently being shown in museums in Australia, London, New York and San Diego.

Sharon Massey, an assistant professor of jewelry and metals at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Massey was the only American chosen to exhibit in the 25th Legnica International Jewelry Competition in Legnica, Poland. Images of her jewelry have been featured in eight books including The Art of Enameling. Massey’s work is also included in the collection of the Racine Art Museum in Racine, Wisconsin and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Lin Stanionis, a professor of jewelry/metals at the University of Kansas. Stanionis’ work encompasses the use of traditional process as well as digital technologies. Her work has been shown in numerous national and international exhibitions and featured in publications including “Digital Handmade: Craftsmanship and the New Industrial Revolution.” Stanionis has also received the Kansas Individual Artist Fellowship and 12 research awards from the University of Kansas. Stanionis also is a visiting scholar and research adviser at Shenzhen Polytechnic University in Shenzhen, China.

Gail M. Brown, an independent curator whose interest is to enhance visibility and education about contemporary craft within the larger visual arts community. Brown curates exhibitions that share exceptional work from a national and international body of mature and mid-career artists and introduce potent ideas and forms by younger makers. Brown has curated over 80 exhibitions across the country.

All the visiting artists contributed to the exhibition accompanying the symposium, “Current Reflections on the Natural and Manmade,” curated by Brown. The opening reception for the exhibition will start at 6 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 7) in the School of Art Landmark Arts Galleries.

Robly Glover, a professor of jewelry design and metalsmithing in the School of Art and the director of the Texas Metals Symposium, said the symposium gives scholars the opportunity to study four of the most distinguished craft artists currently practicing in the U.S.

Glover said students, faculty and staff attending the symposium could foster new understandings about art by observing this style with which they are unfamiliar.

“In order to make art from an informed place, it is essential for a well-informed artist to be aware of the current trends in the field,” Glover said. “The artists who will participate in the Texas Metals Symposium represent four current, different viewpoints about what is going on in the field. Their artwork is highly recognized and exhibited throughout the world. This will expose and inspire the next generation of artists.”

Glover said it is important to have the Texas Metals Symposium hosted at Texas Tech because it serves all students in the region, including college, junior college and high school students. This kind of symposium exposes these students to possibilities in the field.

“Our art students go on to work in all of the significant art fields across the United States and abroad,” Glover said. “This exposure makes the students more informed about the art world at large. This symposium also informs the speakers about what Texas Tech and the South Plains have to offer. Almost every artist leaves the symposium with a greater appreciation of Texas Tech University and the South Plains.”

Registration for the symposium is first-come, first-served. To register for the symposium, click here.

CONTACT:
Robly Glover, director, 2017 Texas Metals Symposium, School of Art, Texas Tech University, (806) 834-7616 or r.glover@ttu.edu

(News release from Texas Tech University)