With an emphasis on both technical and conceptual growth, the Jewelry/Metals program develops your understanding of how to work expressively with the metal medium.
As you pursue your BFA in Jewelry/Metals, you will learn a sequence of technical skills and will work to solidify a clear, creative approach—whether more individualistic or pertaining to applied design.
The BFA is a professional degree with concentrated areas of specialization, so you will take more art courses than you would in a BA program. At UMass Dartmouth, you also have the advantages of a university education where you can diversify your studies and expand your career opportunities.
In your final year, you'll focus on developing an individualistic approach to your aesthetic, skills, concepts, and ideas. You'll produce a cohesive body of work to be presented in the BFA Exhibition.
Your studies will prepare you to pursue careers in running a studio business, designing for industry, technical jewelry employment, or within a number of related fields.
Student Work
Hannah Blount '08
Designer/entrepreneur who sells her jewelry in boutiques and galleries across the world
Internship placements
- E.A. Dion Jewelry
- Priya Himatsingka Designer Jewelry
- Sotheby's, jewelry appraisal
- Ustinov Jewelers
Graduate schools
- Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Eastern Carolina University
- Parsons School of Design
- SUNY New Paltz
- University of Georgia/Athens
Career placements
- Beehive Kitchenware, co-owner
- Fuller Craft Museum, exhibit installer
- Heather Beck Designs, owner
- Valdosta State University, faculty
- Sotheby's, jewelry appraisal
- Swarovski, jewelry design coordinator
- Tiffany & Company, stone setter
Pursue a range of directions to produce either jewelry or utilitarian objects, or work with a more sculptural approach. The curriculum introduces you to the essentials: cutting, forming, fabrication, surface finishing. Further course work includes:
- etching, forging, sinking shallow forms
- lost wax casting, mold making to produce multiples
- simple and faceted stone setting, hinge construction
- small scale mass production
- machining, chasing/repousse, anodizing, electroforming
- enameling
For the BFA in Jewelry/Metals, you'll complete 78 credits in studio and support courses related to your major, and 120 credits overall.
Explore the art and craft of jewelry/metals with a minor. You'll have the opportunity to develop your artistic and technical skills in this creative field.
For the minor, you'll complete 18 credits.
- Studio facilities: our 9,000 square-foot facility at the Star Store campus offers extensive equipment for comprehensive material and process exploration
- Internships: enhance your studies by gaining hands-on professional experience
- Exhibits: students develop a professional body of work that culminates in an exhibition work
- Community: interact with peers by joining the Metals Guild
UMassD's undergraduate experiences include:
- Honors Program: take advanced courses, pursue research, and be part of a community of scholars
- Undergraduate Research: faculty work with students on cutting-edge research projects
- University Studies: gain the benefit of a broad university education to enhance your knowledge and skills
Earn an advanced degree
Master of Fine Arts in Artisanry: Continue your education with a master's in artisanry. You can choose to specialize in ceramics, fibers, jewelry/metals, or wood/furniture.
Master of Art Education: With an emphasis on how the arts are integrated into daily life, the MAE program leads to a single-level professional certification in Massachusetts as an art teacher in grades Pre K-8 or 5-12.
Post-Baccalaureate Artisanry Certificate: A 9-credit program for students interested in pursuing a post-baccalaureate "fifth year" with a studio focus.
Contact
Alan Thompson
Associate Professor
Art & Design
Star Store, New Bedford 234
508-999-8921
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Related academic programs
Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Art and Design
