Metalwerx Becomes Non-Profit School for the Jewelry and MetalArts
Located in Waltham, MA, Metalwerx combines a jewelry school with 15
resident jewelry artists. Focused towards art related and technical
jewelry classes, Metalwerx draws students from New England and
beyond.
Metalwerx, Inc. has become a non-profit Metals Educations School and
15 member Community Studio in June, 2005, Waltham, MA. The school’s
mission is to promote education in the metal arts and serve the needs
of metal artists and jewelry professionals everywhere. Achieving this
goal were experts and educators in their field who helped build the
only jewelry school of its kind in the US.
Described by many students as “community spirited but professional”,
Metalwerx, now in its 7th year of operation, has provided a niche of
specialized workshops relating to jewelry and metalsmithing, both in
the arts and in the technical arena of professional bench jewelry.
Metalwerx also focuses on young high school students looking for
creative expression, not found in mainstream high school art
programs. Formally Metalwerx, LLC, Executive Director, Karen
Christians says, “We are thrilled for the opportunity to access
specialized grant programs for teaching young students and to give
assistance grants to those on fixed incomes”.
As a school, Metalwerx offers both weekly jewelry classes and
intensive 2-4 day workshops for students with time restrictions due
to family commitments. Ms. DiCecca states “the two day format gives
me everything I need to know in a schedule that doesn’t interfere
with my work week. I leave feeling I can fabricate a great piece of
jewelry!”
Metalwerx also focuses on the business aspect of jewelry making. Says
Jennifer Mank, long time studiomate and business owner, “Metalwerx
has given me access to marketing strategies, tools, techniques and
the confidence to run a successful business venture. I couldn’t
imagine trying to do this on my own.” Jennifer also says, “I love
being a studiomate for the access of tools and equipment, ongoing
events, collaboration on ideas and for the community spirit of its
members”.
Instructors at Metalwerx are top professionals in their field and
teach techniques ranging from lapidary, engraving, stone setting,
mechanisms and marketing, as well as art inspired contemporary
metalsmthing. Karen Christians states, “Sometimes instructors at
other schools are overlooked as professionals. We work very hard to
provide essential and specialized equipment, a broad range of
students and teachers assistants in every workshop. We feel that this
allows the instructors to do their job and creates a world class
teaching experience.”
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio