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Going to the SNAG conference this year?? Relax and leave the driving to us!

The MSG has arranged fun, eco-friendly, comfortable and cost efficient round-trip transportation from the Detroit area, with a pick-up in Kalamazoo, to the doors of the 2019 SNAG Conference in Chicago.

Bus amenities- Overhead Storage Racks, Luggage Compartment, Comfortable Leather Seating, Soft Drinks/Water, Charging Outlets, WiFi, 25 Passenger Seating.

Sit back and enjoy the ride, network with fellow metalsmiths or sleep the whole way. No worries, no tolls and no Chicago parking. Fares starting at just $35. Space is limited, register today!
 
Please find the registration form HERE
 

Sponsored by the Michigan Silversmith's Guild, Rio Grande, Studio JSD, and Halstead Inc. Message the Guild if you would like to be listed as a SNAG bus trip sponsor.

 

Join us as we welcome guest artist Anne Havel back to Michigan for 2 more exciting enameling workshops. The initial workshop (October 4-6th) sold out so quickly we added another session!

Date: October 7-9, 2019 Time: 9am-5pm
Place: Studio JSD-Grand Haven, Michigan
Fee: $285.00 for MSG members
$235.00 student members $335.00 non-members
Materials: All materials are included with class fee.
A tool list will be sent with acceptance notice.
 
Workshop Description:
"Using a torch, various methods of line creation and imagery within your enamel piece will be demonstrated. By
applying successive layers of liquid, acrylic, as well as transparent and opaque powdered enamels, techniques
such as sgraffito, graphite, sifting, firescale, acid-etching, painting, and more, can be covered. Additionally,
under/maturity/& over-firing are utilized to build and preserve drawings and layers in the final piece. No matter
the student's skill level, there will be the opportunity to immerse oneself in new ideas and principles.
Cold-connection and minimal soldering skill options for your piece(s) can be explored"
 
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Registration forms available HERE
Seats will be filled on a first come basis.
Questions: Julie Sanford, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or call 616-607-2470

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Plique-à-jour Enameling with Samantha Zhang

April 19, 20, 21, 2019 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

We experienced just a taste of the enameling work of Samantha Zhang at the Member Workshop last year. Now you can immerse yourself in a three-day Plique-à-jour enameling workshop with Samantha.

Registration is limited to 8 participants, so sign up early. Pack a lunch or visit local eateries during the one hour lunch break each day. Please bring the follow in your tool box: A set of needles files, a Swiss file, saw and blades. A Ruler or regularly used stencils. All other materials will be provided.

Workshop Fee:
Members - $280
Nonmembers - $340
Students - $220   

Location:
Canton, Michigan                                   

Registration Deadline: April 12, 2019    REGISTRATION FORM HERE

Maker Works logoFBPlease join us on Saturday, March 9, 2-4pm for a tour of Maker Works, an Ann Arbor makerspace with jewelry studio, metal working, wood working, 3D printing, and more. We’ll show tools from both inside and outside the jewelry studio that can be used to create jewelry-scale objects, whether it is powder coating, sand blasting, welding, precision machining, laser engraving, etc. In addition to access to tools, makerspaces offer instruction, space to use the tools, and a community of creative individuals ranging from artists to engineers, students to entrepreneurs, steel fabricators to fabric artists.

RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please click here for the application form to apply to participate in the MSG booth at the Art of Fire Art Fair in Royal Oak, June 8-9, 2019.misilversmith logo

Please note, you need to complete a separate application for each of the fares (South University in Ann Arbor, Palmer Park in Detroit and Art of Fire in Royal Oak) n which you are interested in participating.

Teach a full-time course load in Metals and Contemporary Art Jewelry and Foundations following National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) guidelines. These may include introductory, and potentially intermediate to advanced Metals and Contemporary Art Jewelry courses, as well as Foundation courses - preferably 2D Design and Drawing - to support the various Art and Design BFA disciplines, BS Art Education and University-wide General Education students. Screening of applications will begin on Monday, March 18, 2019. Submissions will be accepted until position is filled. 

For details, please visit:

https://jobs.uwstout.edu/lecturer-metals-and-contemporary-art-jewelry-and-foundations/job/10589550

Please contact Bryan Ritchie

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any questions.

misilversmith logoPlease click here for the application form to apply to participate in the MSG booth at the Palmer Park Art Fair in Detroit, June 1-2, 2019. 

Also be on the look out for the call for entries for the MSG booth at the Art of Fire Art Fair in Royal Oak, June 8-9, expected to be sent out next week. 

Please note, you need to complete a separate application for each of the fares in which you are interested in participating. 

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Please select the link for the application form to apply to participate in the MSG booth at the South University Art Fair in Ann Arbor, July 18-21 2019.

Also be on the look out for the call for entries for the MSG booth at both the Palmer Park and Art of Fire Art Fairs, June 1-2 and 8-9 respectively, expected to be sent out end of February/first of March.

Please note, you need to complete a separate application for each of the fares in which you are interested in participating.

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Please join us on January 13, 2019 at CCS for an informal day of learning.

In the morning (10-12:30), panel members will share the processes they use for calculating what to charge for their work. Discussions will include a brief description of their work and how they determine what they will charge. The panel will then take questions from the mediator and attendees, and finish up with an opportunity for attendees  to present an item of their making and ask the panel for a pricing critique, based hours, materials, and other criteria that the panel members would use in determining the sales price of the object.

In the afternoon (1:30-4:00), there will be a demonstration on how to make a light box and how to use it to photograph small, shiny objects. Attendees who bring a piece for pricing will also have the opportunity to discuss how best to photograph the piece, get assistance with the placement of the piece in the light box and obtaining appropriate lighting. Attendees will then have the opportunity to take the photo with their own camera/telephone.

Lunch is brown bag, or a short trip to one of several restaurants in the area.

Please see that linked meeting notification. If you would like to join us, complete the rsvp, especially as regards whether you plan to bring a piece for pricing and photographing and return the rsvp portion by January 7, 2019.

dawn sculpture by david barr

Join MSG on Saturday December 8 at 12:45 p.m. for a private guided tour of Villa Barr, David's home, studio, and the sculpture gardens with resident artist and MSG member Patty Smith.  

The cost of the event is $5 per person, and members are welcome to bring guests.  Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by December 3rd. 

Villa Barr is located at 22600 Napier Road, Novi, MI,.

About David Barr:
American artist David Barr (1939-2015) was influential in the development of North American Structuralism. His personal creative philosophy was expressive of the basic constructs of nature combined with the constructive principles of art, melding the arts and sciences. He is known for his public and monumental sculptures, structuralist reliefs, and global conceptual art.

MSG 70In honor of MSG’s 70th Anniversary, the annual meeting is turning into a weekend long event. It will begin on Saturday October 13 with a day of free member led mini-workshops, and will end with the annual meeting on Sunday October 14. All events will be held in the metals studio at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

Saturday will be a day of concurrent one-hour demonstrations and workshops taught by members who have volunteered to share their knowledge and expertise. Free to MSG members, lunch will also be provided. It will be a great way to gain some new skills while getting to know your fellow members. There are still some teaching slots available, so if you would like to teach one of the workshops, please contact Lori Brauer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sunday brings the MSG annual meeting, which will begin at 1 p.m. It will start with the annual business meeting, which will be followed by a lecture and presentation by Detroit artist Adam Shirley. As always, the meeting will include board elections, everyone’s favorite tool swap, vendors, lunch, MSG SWAG (a great chance to pick up your new MS hoodie!), networking, and fellowship. You can also renew your membership on site.

For more information about the tool swap, please contact Danielle Blanchard at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Come and join in the fun while celebrating 70 years of MSG. It’s your guild, so make the most of it. We look forward to seeing you there!

Directions to, and a map of College for Creative Studies may be found at https://www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/contact-us/maps-and-directions

For more information about Adam Shirley, please visit
https://www.simonedesousagallery.com/artists/adam-shirley/adam-shirley-bio.

misilversmith logoJoin MSG in celebrating the the graduation of the newest up and coming metalsmiths from Bowling Green State University, College for Creative Studies, Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University with and exhibition on Saturday June 16.  Part exhibition and part graduation party, the event will be held in the community room of the City Hall Artspace Lofts, 13615  Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI.  The festivities begin at 7 p.m. 

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MSG is looking for artists who are interested in participating in the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) 30th annual Holiday Market, which will be in Grand Rapids, MI on December 1st. Please note that the Guild will be applying for a booth at the event and has not yet been accepted, but the show requires that all participants be identified prior to the application process.

All current MSG members are eligible to apply, no previous art fair experience is necessary, and as this will be the Guild's first year applying to this event, the application for members is FREE! Applications must be in by June 30th.

Download the application here!

MSG is seeking artists to demonstrate at the 2018 South University Art Fair Booth! In keeping with our mission to educate others about the craft of metalsmithing, the guild is providing demonstrations of metalsmithing techniques throughout the duration of the art fair. In return, on the day(s) of the demo, participating members will be able to display and sell work that is related to or derivative of the technique demonstrated. All current MSG members are eligible to apply. No previous art fair experience is necessary!

Download the application here

The Michigan Silversmiths Guild is joining Grinstein Jewelry Design for the second annual Grinstein Jewelry Scholarship Competition. The competition is open to all public and private high school juniors and seniors attending jewelry classes in Oakland County.

Eligible students may enter one jewelry piece that was made during the past year. Three independent and esteemed jewelry professionals will judge entries on design, creativity and craftsmanship. Scholarships will be awarded to the top three prize winners at an awards event will be held at Grinstein Jewelry and Design, 162 South Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI with all entries on display. The event is open to the public, and will take place on Saturday May 12, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. The winning entries will remain on display through Saturday May 26.

MSG and the South University Area Association will sponsor two booths for the 2018 South University Art Fair. All current MSG members are eligible to apply. All work submitted must be made by the applicant. Although mixed media pieces are accepted, some metal is required. Members who are interested in learning about art fairs or may be considering them as a career path are especially encouraged to apply. No previous art fair experience is necessary!

UPDATE: Deadline extended until April 7th!

More Info: Click here for more details

MADE: Makers Across Disciplines Engage focuses on materials, art, design, and interdisciplinary collaboration. While celebrating traditional and innovative techniques alike, we seek to engage makers and other creative individuals who push the boundaries of our field with a cross-media sensibility. Portland is a city that has a strong sense of community and is home to entrepreneurs and craftspeople alike. In response to this, we invite makers who work across disciplines to explore the unforeseen directions, inventiveness, and ingenuity within the metalsmithing field. Dates of Conference: May 23rd-26th, 2018 Location: Portland, Oregon Hotel: Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, 1401 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR

Do you dream of dabbling in the world of curating? Do you have a great idea for an exhibition? SNAG's Emerging Curators Program offers grants up to $2,500 to assist an emerging curator or curators in executing an exhibition focused on jewelry and/or metalwork. Application deadline: December 1, 2017 An emerging curator may be a recent graduate of a jewelry and/or metalwork program; or artists who have hosted a few exhibitions; or curators looking to host an exhibition. Exhibition must open before December 31, 2018.

MSG and the South University Area Association will sponsor two booths for the 2017 South University Art Fair. All current MSG members are eligible to apply. All work submitted must be made by the applicant. Although mixed media pieces are accepted, some metal is required. Members who are interested in learning about art fairs or may be considering them as a career path are especially encouraged to apply. No previous art fair experience is necessary!