Metal Arts Critique Collective

Published: September 14, 2007

Handblown glass beads, monofilament, 18k gold, sterling silver.

Photo by Photo by Christine Dhein.

LEGOS, sterling silver, rubber cording.

Sterling silver, 18k yellow gold, diamond.

Pewter.

Sterling silver, mohair, silk.

Photo by Photo by Chris McCaw.

24k gold, sterling silver.

Philippe Destouches, a 16th century French playwright, said, "Criticism is easy, art is difficult." Yet in some cases, artists find that criticism from a supportive group can cultivate new ideas and foster solutions to overcoming obstacles. For members of the Metal Arts Critique Collective, a San Francisco-based group that formed to critique each other's jewelry, art and criticism go hand in hand.

Christine Dhein and Shana Astrachan, San Francisco-area jewelers, met through the Metal Arts Guild after graduating from college. While in school, Dhein and Astrachan each had the opportunity to critique other students' work and to have their own work evaluated. Through these peer assessments, they learned what elements of their jewelry worked and what elements didn't. After graduation, they lost this source of inspiration -- and they missed it.

Astrachan and Dhein founded the Metal Arts Critique Collective in 1997 as a way to regain the collaborative, supportive benefits of peer criticism. They invited metal artists who were dedicated to their field, and who would also be dedicated to participating in the group, to join. The current seven-member group, which includes David Casella, Reed Easley, Aimee Golant, Kelly Nedderman, and Emiko Oye in addition to Dhein and Astrachan, is "very structured," says Dhein. A different member hosts each monthly meeting. The host presents his or her work first and receives feedback from the group. Then the other members have the opportunity to share their work.

Of the feedback given at the meetings, suggestions on technical issues are very important to Dhein. "I come away with more than one solution," she says. Design advice is also important. "It gives me a direction to focus my work in."

The need for artistic interaction is a common one. Now a teacher at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, Dhein says, "A lot of the comments I hear from past students are that they've lost their sense of community." A critique group can return that feeling of belonging and encourage artistic growth in its members.

For artists looking to start their own critique group, Dhein says that the most important ingredients are clear expectations and to select people who are dedicated to participating. She also advises to keep the number of members low. "Between eight and 10 is a good number," she says. With more than 10 members, it can be difficult to give everyone an opportunity to present work and receive feedback at the meetings.

In celebration of the Metal Arts Critique Collective's 10th anniversary, Velvet da Vinci Gallery, in San Francisco, is holding Critique Collective, an exhibit featuring work by the members of the Metal Arts Critique Collective. The exhibit will include jewelry, sculpture, and Judaica and will be on display until September 30, 2007. For more information on the Metal Arts Critique Collective, visit critiquecollective.rewarestyle.com. To see additional images of the exhibit, visit velvetdavinci.com. --Katie J. Streeter