Woodland Forest Pendant, by silversmith and artist Beth Millner. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)An opening reception and artist talk will take place at the Reflection Gallery from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7. The reception is open to the public and refreshments will be served.
The pieces in Millner’s exhibit, which is titled "Seasonal Transformations in Metal," are inspired by nature. Millner says she finds the creation of miniature images fascinating, and natural elements and the slight variations of hand-wrought designs are common in her work.
Millner’s designs are cut in metal with a hand-held jeweler’s saw. Using hammers, handmade stamps, and other hand tools, she builds texture in her pieces and carefully applies glaze to create contrast. Each edge, surface, and corner is finished by hand.
Woodland Forest Locket, by Beth Millner. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)"Silhouettes from nature are inherent to my designs," Millner notes. "By using figure ground reversal, the viewer perceives something that is visually available only because of its surroundings. Like nature, each part is dependent on the other for mutual existence."
Millner began making jewelry in grade school, learning to craft knotted friendship bracelets, simple beaded designs, and polymer clay beads. She says she has always been interested in arts and crafts; however, she did not pursue art as a career until 2005 when she enrolled in the art program at Northern Michigan University, Marquette. It was in a metals art class at NMU that she discovered her passion for designing and making jewelry.
The Reflection Gallery is located on the second level of Finlandia’s Jutila Center campus, Hancock. For additional information, please contact Yueh-mei Cheng, professor of studio arts, at 906-487-7375 or e-mail FinlandiaReflectionGallery@gmail.com.
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