Exhibitions
The display of our Northwest studio art jewelry collection in the Kreielsheimer Foundation Alcove showcases a wide variety of works from the museum’s important Northwest studio jewelry collection. This inaugural presentation of our studio art jewelry collection is the completion of a long-desired goal to better spotlight the museum’s Northwest art collection. A generous donation enabled us to reimagine how these small artworks can be more prominently and effectively shown to highlight their technical and creative artistry.
The impetus for forming a Northwest art jewelry collection at TAM was the bequest from the celebrated jewelry maker and teacher Ken Cory. Several donors have added to it significantly from their personal collections: Flora Book, Sharon Campbell, Mia McEldowney, and Ramona Solberg. There are also numerous other individual gifts that reflect the incredible dedication and generosity of the studio art jewelry community.
The collection of studio art jewelry at TAM is focused on Northwest artists but includes selected works by national and international artists who are important influences for the artists of the region. The artworks range from the streamlined modernist works of the 1940s and 1950s through the narrative, found object, and funk aesthetics that followed, to contemporary conceptual jewelry informed by current events and ideas.
We are most grateful to Christopher and Alida Latham for underwriting the construction of this case.
We would also like to thank ArtsFund and the Guendolen Carkeek Plestcheeff Fund for the Decorative and Design Arts for supporting this inaugural presentation.
Copyright for the artwork and the photography of the artwork lies with the artist, their assigns, or the museum. Images are available to view here for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use.
Image credits: (clockwise from top) Kiff Slemmons. (American, b. 1944). “Ramona,” 1991. Silver, amber, bone, coral, glass, and pre-Columbian stone beads, 3 1/4 in. x 2 7/8 in. x 7/16 in. (8.3 x 7.3 x 1.1 cm). Tacoma Art Museum, Gift of Ramona Solberg, 1998.33.3. Photo courtesy of Douglas Yaple. Cathryn Vandenbrink. (American, b. 1950). Untitled (necklace), circa 1990s. Copper and oxidized silver, 47 in. (119.4 cm). Tacoma Art Museum, Gift of Flora Book, 2000.14. Photo courtesy of Douglas Yaple.
