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Society of North American Gold

Gwynne Rukenbrod Smith
Society of North American Goldsmiths
PO Box 1355
Eugene, OR 97440 USA
...
541.345.5689
Mission
The Society of North American Goldsmiths advances jewelry and metalsmithing by inspiring creativity, encouraging education, and fostering community.

Vision
SNAG envisions a diverse jewelry and metals community engaging in thoughtful conversation and critical discourse while preserving tradition and embracing innovation.

Values
Dedicated: We are committed to the advancement of jewelry, metalsmithing, and community.
Informative: We nourish and share knowledge about jewelry and metalsmithing both inside and outside of our organization.
Innovative: We support, encourage and advance ideas that lead to creative approaches, unique solutions, and crossing boundaries.
Inclusive: We celebrate the rich diversity and history of our field and value a variety of viewpoints through supportive, respectful, and ethical interaction.
SNAG’s high-caliber exhibitions feature some of the finest work in the field. They help to expose more people to the historical, artistic, and cultural impact of the work, and inspire other artists, jewelers, designers, and metalsmiths.

SNAG//SPACE
Be sure to visit https://www.snagspace.org/ our online exhibition platform.


Current Exhibitions
HERE TODAY: We Are SNAG Membership Series
2018, viewable on SNAG//SPACE

Halstead Design Challenge 2018
May 2018, viewable on SNAG//SPACE


Past Exhibitions (Please visit https://www.snagmetalsmith.org/events/snag-exhibitions/ for links to all past exhibitions)
Triple Parade 2018
October 19, 2018-January 6, 2019

Exhibition in Print at Contemporary Craft
September 8-November 25, 2017

WE ARE SNAG: Appropriated Adornment
December 2017, viewable on SNAG//SPACE

Halstead Design Challenge 2017
May 2017, viewable on SNAG//SPACE

SNAG Links Project
2015 & 2016

WE ARE SNAG: (Up)Setting the Stone
December 2016, viewable on SNAG//SPACE

Halstead Design Challenge 2016
May 2016, viewable on SNAG//SPACE

Exhibition in Print at CCCD
July 31-August 22, 2015

WE ARE SNAG: Contemporary Smiths
November 2015, viewable on SNAG//SPACE

WE ARE SNAG: Identity
2014, viewable on SNAG//SPACE

Reflection: 100 Years of Jewelry/Metal Arts at California College of the Arts
January 23-February 14, 2013

Contemporary Goldsmithing: Tradition & Excellence
2013, viewable on SNAG website

Gothic: Sinister Pleasures (National Ornamental Metal Museum)
December 7, 2012 - March 10, 2013

Contemporary Gothic Jewelry: Sinister Pleasures (SOFA, Chicago)
November 2 - 4, 2012

The Body Adorned
2012, viewable on SNAG website

Transformation 8: Contemporary Work in Small Metals
February 2, 2012 - June 30, 2012

Realizing the Neo-Palatial
November 5, 2010 - January 16, 2011

Next + Now
2007

Dichotomies in Objects
July 2010 - April 1, 2011

Equilibrium
January 22, 2009 - March 11, 2009

Framing the Art of Jewelry
January 19, 2008 - May 11, 2008

And How! Celebrating Art and Soul in Contemporary Metalwork
November 12, 2007 - February 29, 2008

Flatware: Fantasy + Function
October 2005

Contemporary Enamel
October 2003

The Art of Gold
January 2003 - January 2006

Innovative Tools
2001

Exhibition in Print
October 2000

American Revelations
March 1996
In November 1968, Philip Morton held a meeting in Chicago, attended by Robert Ebendorf, Phillip Fike, Hero Kielman, Brent Kington, Stanley Lechtzin, Kurt Matzdorf, Ronald Pearson, and Olaf Skoogfors. Out of this meeting came two clear goals: to create an organization of “designer craftsmen in the metal arts field” and to produce a conference of professional jewelers. In 1969 a larger group met two more times, establishing the basic parameters of the organization, its name, and plans for the first SNAG conference in 1970.
The First Meeting

SNAG has come so far since 1969. From that first meeting of 9 goldsmiths and silversmiths, to our current membership. Back then SNAG had 64 original members, and now we have more than 2,000 studio artists, educators, students and others working in all metals, alternative materials, and all aspects of contemporary art, design, jewelry and metalsmithing.
The First Conference

The first SNAG conference took place in St. Paul, MN in 1970, and approximately 100 people attended. Now we routinely enjoy 750 members at the annual conference, thirsty for the inspiration and regeneration they know we’ll deliver every year.
The First Publication

SNAG’s very first publication, SNAG News, was published in 1975. The first issue of Golddust mailed in 1976, the Goldsmiths Journal followed in 1977, and it evolved into Metalsmith, launched in fall 1980. It is a sign of the times that SNAG News is now all-digital and all four-color. In January 2009 we celebrated the bold and freshly redesigned Metalsmith from world-renowned Luke Hayman of Pentagram, one of the most respected designers in the magazine field today.

SNAG has far exceeded its original vision. We have educated and energized a further two generations in the metals community. You know that SNAG’s commitment to the field has never waned and we promise you it never will. We will continue to evolve to remain vibrant.
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Society of North American Goldsmiths