There is an aspect of my studio production that I now label “Dispersals.” These are series of production objects intended to be freely given to a particular group or audience. They include annual holiday ornaments, pin swaps for conferences/symposia, and other custom-made items for other events. As an object-maker, I believe in the unique power that objects have in our society. We are able to extend our presence across time and space when our objects are appreciated by others.
Very early in my career, I was introduced the power of producing and distributing multiple handmade objects. As a studio assistant to Boris Bally, a major project I was involved in was the die-forming of his annual holiday card/ornament. Not only did I gain significant experience in die-forming (a metalsmithing process I continue to enjoy decades later), but he shared with me the importance of maintaining personal and professional contacts through an annual mailing. I adopted this tradition myself for twenty years. Many regular recipients would send me pictures of their “Thurman tree” that was reserved just for those ornaments. In 1995, I attended my first professional conference, SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) in New Orleans. Still working as Boris Bally’s assistant and going to night school to be certified as a machinist, Boris encouraged me to make pins to trade at the conference’s icebreaker event, a free Pin Swap. I machined components for those pins and assembled them on the train I took from Pittsburgh, PA to New Orleans. I still treasure pins that I received at that first conference.
DISPERSALS