Monday, February 28, 2011

Versatile Designs Win Sculpture MFA Student WJA Scholarship

Structural whimsy and charming surprises make School of Fine Arts Sculpture MFA student Lindsey Eisentraut's jewelry hard to resist. It not only won her a Radiant Technology Scholarship this year, but recently caught the attention of the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) who also awarded her a coveted scholarship.

WJA is well known and respected in the metal arts community, and Lindsay had applied for the same scholarship the previous year with no luck. She didn't let that stop her from submitting her pieces Bug Box and Cottage Ring in this year's competition. Her perseverance paid off.

"I really didn't expect to win. I've gained so much more experience this past year at Academy of Art University, which helped me create better work to show," she said.

Lindsey is truly mastering her craft at Academy of Art University's Fine Art Graduate School. Her winning pieces are intricate with a delicate storybook quality juxtaposed by the strength of the materials in which she works. They appeal to the curious mind, to the wearer looking for beauty, functionality and a bit of wonder.

Bug Box is part of a series of three jewelry boxes. The bug's wings can be removed to reveal two dainty compartments. Stored in the larger compartment are hooks that can be attached to the removed wings, transforming them into earrings.

Cottage Ring was inspired by a short story and is itself a narrative in construction. Consisting of two H-style rings, the outer ring is in two sections, which snap on to the inner ring to create a fairytale scene of a cottage surrounded by a stark winter wood.

Lindsey chose to come to Academy of Art University because she was impressed by work from the small metal arts department. She calls out instructors Charlene Modena and Jonathan Russell as being instrumental in helping hone her talent.

In her award letter, the WJA told Lindsey that they are looking forward to watching her progress in the coming years. Academy of Art University could not agree more.

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