Bruce Metcalf

Bruce Metcalf was born on September 30, 1949 in Amhearst, Massachusetts. Metcalf is an artist that uses different materials like wood, metal, and plexiglass. With these materials he uses diverse techniques for the jewelry, sculptures, and wall reliefs that he creates. Many of these works are whimsical yet restrained works that comment on the human condition.

EDUCATION

He received his B.F.A. in Crafts/Metalsmithing in 1972 at Syracuse University. He also majored in [Architecture] at Syracuse from 1968-1970. From 1972-73 he attended Montana State University and from 1973-74 attended SUNY College at New Paltz. In 1977 he received his M.F.A. in Metalsmithing and Jewelry at Tyler School of Art at Temple University.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Co-author with Janet Koplos of "Makers: 20th Century American Studio Crafts", to be published by the University of North Carolina Press in 2009

Senior Lecturer 2007, 1999, 1997, 1994 - 1995The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Advisory Committee, “Craft in America” television series

Instructor 1992
Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Associate Professor of Jewelry/Metals 1986 - 1991 Assistant Professor 1981-1986
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

Contributing Editor, Metalsmith magazine, 1980 -1992, 1995 - 2001

Visiting Instructor, 1983
University of Houston Graduate School of Architecture, Houston, Texas

Instructor of Metalsmithing 1979-1980Department of Continuing Education Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, Massachusetts

Artist-in-Residence 1980
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Temporary Instructor of Metalsmithing 1977-1978
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

Benchworker for "New England Weather," Leverett, Massachusetts(production of silver jewelry) 1974-1975

Benchworker for Kurt Matzdorf, New Paltz, New York 1974

GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

Artist’s Project Grant, Pew Fellowships in the Arts, 2002

Society of North American Goldsmiths Metalsmith Writer’s Award, 1997

Pew Fellowship in the Arts, 1996

National Endowment for the Arts Visual Artists Fellowship 1992

Fulbright Teaching & Research Fellowship in Seoul, Korea, 1990

Kent State University Creative Activity Grants, 1983, 1989

Ohio Arts Council Crafts Fellowships, 1983, 1984,1988

Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities Artists Foundation Fellowship, 1980

Colorado State University Faculty Improvement Research Grant, 1977

National Endowment for the Arts Craftsmen's Fellowship, 1977

SELECTED MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

Philadelphia Museum of Art, PA, 2002

Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI, 2002
Museum of Arts & Design, New York, NY, 1998
Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design, New York NY, 1997
Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 1996
Le Museé des Arts Décoratifs de Montréal, Canada, 1993
Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst, S'Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, 1992

ARTIST STATEMENT

These necklaces and brooches represent a recent departure. They are neither narrative nor conceptual jewelry. Instead, i want to make jewelry that is decorative and comfortably wearable. Beyond that, I want these articles to become the center of attention when they are worn, and thus to make their wearers feel exceptional.

SOURCES

http://www.brucemetcalf.com

http://www.charonkransenarts.com/artists/Metcalf_6_2005/artist_metcalf.html

http://americanart.si.edu/search/artist_bio.cfm?ID=7115