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As a teacher for the City of Tucson’s Park and Recreation Visual Arts program, I am responsible for the instruction of the basics of jewelry making and design to students of varying ages. These students are new to the art-form of jewelry design, working with metals, using the appropriate tools and methods of fabricating and finishing. I have been an active staff member for nearly 20 years.
As a metalsmith instructor at the oldest community college in Arizona, I was exposed to the college environment and taught students a broad range of jewelry-making skills. This included fabrication, casting, raising and enamel work. I was a member of the staff for three years.
As head of production and lead jeweler, it was my task to hire and train semi-skilled labor for jewelry manufacturing and repair. A broad range of skills and techniques were incorporated and perfected in the company’s product line. Development of new designs and production was another rewarding aspect of this business association. I held this position for three years.
For more than thirty years I have been an independent contractor producing varied product lines for Phyllis Woods. These products would include jewelry items ranging from earrings, bracelets, rings, and pins to belts and elements for leather handbag enhancement. Product lines were created in many combinations of precious and semi-precious metals including gold, silver, copper, brass, and bronze. During my tenure, I had several opportunities to provide in-house resource education. These short seminars offered techniques for improved mass production, enabling jewelers to make more jewelry better and faster.
As an undergraduate at Kansas State University, Emporia, I was chosen to be a jewelry studio assistant, where I occasionally had the opportunity to mentor younger artists. I have continued to teach and mentor individual students in many different techniques, such as metalsmithing, jewelry design, fabrication and finishing, throughout my professional career.
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I look forward to the opportunity to learn about you and answer any questions you have about my work and experience.
Thought from Mark, "Take a moment to be inspired by the things around you. Observe life and the beauty found within its finest minerals and then see the transformation into objects of breath-taking design. The opportunity to become a metalsmiith has been a delightful adventure and true gift. Thank you for your interest in my work!"
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