Areas Of Study » Undergraduate Studies » Jewelry And Metalwork

Undergraduate Jewelry and Metalwork Studies

General Overview

The Jewelry/Metalwork sub-concentration is part of the Applied Design emphasis in the Art major. Students are required to meet performance standards in both academic and studio-based courses. The goal of the Jewelry & Metalwork program is to encourage and assist students in the development of a mature artistic statement based upon intellectual, aesthetic and technical capabilities in conjunction with their career goals. The curriculum is formulated to broaden understanding of the metals field and its historical and contemporary context through research, experimentation, and reading on critical issues in art and design. Creativity and technique are stressed equally. Students are encouraged to explore cross-disciplinary work as well as take advantage of foreign study opportunities to reveal new perspectives. The diversity of work produced in the program is evidence of the multiplicity of concerns that can be addressed within the arena of jewelry/metalsmithing.

Coursework Overview

The undergraduate curriculum encourages students to pursue their own personal direction and career goals in jewelry/metals while developing a strong foundation in traditional and contemporary metals techniques. A variety of processes for metal and non-metal materials are presented while exploring the content of art and studying contemporary aesthetic form and its historical antecedents. Course work places equal emphasis on creative problem solving and technical proficiency. The studio facility supports work in soldering, casting, die-forming, anodizing, electroforming, chasing, etching, stone setting, metal forming, lathe turning, and enameling. Advanced students participate in discussions of career paths, gallery affiliation, exhibitions and competitions, object photography, and portfolio preparation. Eligible students can take independent studies in an area of particular interest as well as pursue opportunities for foreign exchange study.

Please download the Applied Design emphasis checklist for degree requirements.

Admissions and Financial Assistance

New students are admitted into the program only in the fall semester on a space available basis. Application deadline is February 1. You can learn more detailed information about the admissions process on the Undergraduate Admissions page. For more information on financial assistance, please visit our Financial Aid page or our student scholarships page to find scholarships available through the School of Art, Design, and Art History.

Professional Organizations for Students

Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG)(external link)

Facilities

Read detailed information on our facilities on the Jewelry and Metalwork Facilities page, where you can also link to other interdisciplinary facilities within the School of Art, Design, and Art History.

You can also read more about local art material supplier resources on our Art Supplies page, as well as learn more about our library research facilities by visiting SDSU's Love Library website(external link).

The Faculty

To contact or learn more about individual faculty in this department, please click on their names below:

Distinguished Alumni

  • Jeffrey Clancy, Assistant Professor, Maine College of Art
  • David Clemons, Lecturer, University of Arkansas, Little Rock
  • Yuko Yagisawa, Associate Professor, Metropolitan State College of Denver
  • Randy Long, Head of Program and Professor of Art, Indiana University- Bloomington
  • Christina Smith, Associate Professor, CSU Fullerton
  • Derek McGarry, Head of Program, National College of Art and Design, Dublin
  • Eugenie Keefer Bell, RAIA Acting Head, Department of Architecture, School of Design & Architecture, University of Canberra, Australia
  • Thelma Coles, Professor of Art, University of Texas at Austin
  • Gina Westergard, Professor, University of Kansas, Lawrence
  • Yuko Yagisawa, Associate Professor, Metropolitan State College of Denver
  • Ingrid Psuty, Lecturer, Grossmont College, San Diego
  • Sarah Perkins, Professor, Missouri State University, Springfield
  • Reina Brill, studio artist, Winner of NY State Foundation for the Arts Grant
  • Chris Lowe, studio artist, Winner of ACC Emerging Artist Grant
  • Jane Groover, founder and owner of Taboo Jewelry Studio, San Diego
  • Dawn Nakanishi, Assistant Professor, Cabrillo College
  • Teresa Lovering-Brown, Assistant Professor, Monterey Junior College
  • Charleen Weidell, Associate Professor, University of Central Oklahoma
  • Anne Hallam, Visiting Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Dallae Kang, studio artist, exhibits with Sculpture to Wear, Snyderman Gallery. Lecturer, CSU Long Beach, Pasadena City College

This page was last updated at 8:39AM on February 13, 2009