WASHINGTON GUILD OF GOLDSMITHS BIENNIAL

Alexandria, VA - Target Gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center will host Metalwork 2002, the biennial exhibition of the Washington Guild of Goldsmiths, from November 23, 2002 through January 12, 2003.

Metalwork 2002 will feature the best jewelry, hollowware, and sculpture by Washington area metalsmiths. Award-winning designers Thomas Gentille and Chris Darway served as jurors. In addition to the juried pieces, each exhibiting artist will submit at least one work priced less than $200.20. A reception for the artists will be held on Thursday, December 12 from 6-9 PM. The exhibition and reception are free of charge and open to the public. This exhibition marks the second time Target Gallery is hosting the Washington Guild's biennial. A full color catalogue is available in digital format or paperback.

Works in the exhibition include jewelry, vessels, and abstract sculptures, with media and techniques of all types. Juror Thomas Gentille remarks, "In the Washington Guild of Goldsmiths exhibition, the quality and enthusiasm of the work runs high." Chris Darway notes that a number of times during judging the submissions, technical merit and clever solutions to design problems caused him to raise an eyebrow and smile. Of the 76 artists in the exhibition, seven received special awards from the judges, including Tina Chesina's copper Rattle of Familiarity (above). The biennial is often recognized not only for the strength of its submissions but also for the installation, to be designed this year by guild members Nick Barnes and Susan Sanders.

Designer and goldsmith Gretchen Raber founded the Guild in 1978 as an outlet for the metal arts community in the Washington area. Since that time, the Guild has grown significantly and has attained an international reputation.

Target Gallery is the national exhibition space of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, located at 105 N. Union Street in Alexandria, VA. The gallery is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, noon through 5 PM.

IMAGE: Tina Chesina, Rattle of Familiarity, copper, 3 7/8 x 1 5/8 x 1 inches Photo Credit: Sadie Brandt