Amy Krzanik reports from Great Barrington. The Saturday, Aug. 20 opening reception for Modern Treasure Chests, an exhibition of jewelry boxes by master artisans that is now on view at McTeigue & McClelland, also served as a reunion for the artists. All of the featured makers are friends of the jewelry atelier’s co-owner Tim McClelland, having been students along with him, or former faculty, at Boston University’s Program in Artisanry (PIA) or Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). McClelland was eager to see what his cohort was fashioning these days, and so sent out a request for handcrafted jewelry boxes. The responses are uniquely varied, intricately fashioned works of art that do double duty as vessels for fine jewels like the ones found in the shop. The treasure chests will be in place during normal business hours until Saturday, Sept. 24. [Above, the inside of artist Tom Loeser’s sculptural jewelry boxes.]
The shop’s co-owner, Tim McClelland, and exhibiting artist Rosanne Somerson, president of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD); Walter McTeigue, the jewelry atelier’s co-owner, with Bruce Beeken and Mark Del Guidice, whose work is featured in the show.
Artists with work in the show include Michael Hurwitz, James Schriber, Timothy Philbrick, Mitch Ryerson and John Everdell.
Beck Oakley, Trix Oakley and Susan Everdell; Blake Ferrara and Talia King.
Inside Jay Stanger’s furniture-sized jewelry box is even more eye-popping color.
Artist Tommy Simpson with Michael Anderson, Jane Vern and Karen LaFleur; Mark Del Guidice, his jewelry box, and McTeigue & McClelland general manager John Reynolds.
Outside, Tom Loeser’s jewelry boxes appear as sculpture, but double as storage.
Entries by Tommy Simpson and Jay Stanger.