MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

METALSMITH WORKSHOPS PROVIDE HANDS-ON LEARNING AND MENTORSHIP BY ARTISAN JEWELERS

Rockport Center for the Arts and The Bead Studio partner on new Silver Meltdown Studio

ROCKPORT, Texas (April 17, 2024) — The public will soon have the opportunity to learn the traditional art of metalsmithing through a partnership between Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) and The Bead Studio. The Silver Meltdown Studio will host workshops led by the area’s top artisans in a new dedicated metalsmith learning and maker’s space in The Bead Studio.

Workshops begin May 4 and will be designed for various skill levels, from beginners to those more experienced, with up to six students maximum for any class, allowing for greater one-on-one guidance. There will be a variety of artisan instructors participating, including The Bead Studio owner, Kathleen Hahn, and many other area metalsmith experts regularly showcased in Silver Meltdown, RCA’s popular silver jewelry runway and trunk show held annually in October.

“We are pleased to be partnering with The Bead Studio to create this amazing learning opportunity,” said Luis Purón, executive director for RCA. “Just as the name implies, the new learning space is a nod to our own Silver Meltdown event featuring a lineup of renowned metalsmithing artists each year, many of whom will now be sharing their expertise with workshop attendees in the spirit of mentorship. We feature select pieces from some of these same artists in our gift shop. Since its inception in 2018, the Silver Meltdown has grown tremendously and so has the passion of other local artisans to create. This is an investment in the future of metalsmithing in Rockport.”

A reception kicking off the new endeavor will be held on Thursday, April 25, from 5–6:30 p.m. at The Bead Shop, located at 812 Henderson Street in Rockport. Silver Meltdown Studio workshops already scheduled include May 4 with Teenya Barnard (silver earrings), May 17–18 with Darla Hamilton (copper electroforming), May 31 with Cindy Gentry (silver pendant), and Sept. 10–11 with Danya DeLeon (bezel setting of cabochon in ring). Prices vary and include instruction and materials, with RCA Members receiving special class pricing.

“I’m grateful for the collaboration with Rockport Center for the Arts as we begin this artistic endeavor in the Coastal Bend,” said Kathleen Hahn, owner of The Bead Studio. “Together we will bring to life the imagination, creativity and artistry of wearable art, and perhaps launch the next generation of metalsmiths.” Workshop details will be available on the RCA and Bead Shop website. Those interested in attending the reception and participating in workshops should contact The Bead Studio directly at (361) 450-1400 to reserve their spot.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

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