Marlene True

DESCRIBE YOUR APPROACH TO TEACHING

I demonstrate all techniques and materials and then work one-on-one with students to help them achieve their design goals.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS GAIN IF THEY COME ON ONE OF YOUR COURSES?

Students will learn to work with recycled tin cans and discover the limitless possibilities that this material holds for creating handbags and jewellery.

ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR TECHNIQUES/PROCESSES YOU USE IN YOUR TEACHING?

Students will learn about specific tools to deconstruct tin cans for use in their work and techniques including, cutting, sawing, riveting, forming, soldering, hinge-making and surface alterations for tin.

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR OWN WORK?

The materials I work with are a resource for inspiration and experimentation in my art. I work with recycled steel sourced from old and new tin cans as a material for fabrication, and a source for images, color and text. These elements, due to the nature of their former use, have their own unique history and identity that I use selectively to create narrative in my work.

WHERE CAN STUDENTS SEE EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK?

On my website

WHERE DID YOU GAIN YOUR TRAINING/EXPERIENCE? (INCLUDE ANY QUALIFICATIONS)

I earned my Masters of Fine Art from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I have also taken numerous workshops at various craft schools including Penland School of Crafts, Haystack Mountain School of crafts and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.

WHAT TEACHING EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU HAD?

East Carolina University – Student teacher, Beginning Metalsmithing

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Adjunct Instructor, Metalsmithing

College of the Albemarle – Adjunct Instructor, Art History/Art Appreciation

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts – Metals Workshop Instructor

Penland School of Crafts – Metals Workshop Instructor

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts – Metals Workshop Instructor

Craft Alliance, St. Louis – Metals Workshop Instructor

The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths – Workshop Instructor

IS YOUR WORK IN ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE COLLECTIONS?

The Museum of Art and Design, New York

The Racine Museum of Art, Racine, Wisconsin

The Enamel Arts Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

HAVE YOU WRITTEN ANY BOOKS/HAD ARTICLES PUBLISHED?

Mixed Media Collage Jewellery, Lark Books. Contributed a chapter in the Master’s Section on ring making.

Jewellery Design Challenge, Lark Books. Contributed a section on creating a brooch.

DO YOU BELONG TO ANY PROFFESSIONAL GROUPS/SOCIETIES?

The Society of North American Goldsmiths, Member, Board of Directors

Art Jewellery Forum

The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths

College Art Association