By Erin Williams—
MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts.org) and PlySpace, an artist in residence program funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, offer a calendar of thought-provoking events this fall as part of the Radical Jewelry Makeover.
Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) has been traveling nationally and internationally to communities since 2007, educating the public and jewelers of all levels about mining and material sourcing issues involved in jewelry making. Currently, materials used in jewelry production are sourced from some of the poorest countries in the world, sacred lands and disputed territories. The EPA estimates that hard rock mining is the most toxic industry in the United States. Additionally, Earthworks (earthworks.org) reports that an estimated 80% of the gold mined each year is used for jewelry, and that a single gold ring leaves 20 tons of mine waste.
But what does that mean for all of the weird, leftover costume jewelry left in a drawer, tangled chains, unmatched earrings, or the ugly gold broach you inherited from your great grandma?
Rather than let these items go to waste, RJM draws attention to the creativity and skills of local jewelry designers by collecting old, unwanted jewelry and using the resources to make new jewelry objects. This year, MuncieArts and PlySpace will be offering a series of events, workshops, exhibitions, and sales in partnership with the Ethical Metalsmiths Society, Ball State University Metals Guild, IU Bloomington, Earlham College, Bowling Green University, Western Michigan University, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and professional jewelers from Chicago’s Gallery 2052 Chicago. Throughout the 2023-2024 residency season, artist residents will join the Muncie community to lecture and teach about their work in metalsmithing and jewelry leading a radical jewelry makeover focused workshop or lecture.
“This project has been a wonderful way to collaborate with the community and other art programs as we talk about sustainable art practices and mindful making,” said Jessica Calderwood, Associate Professor of Metals and Jewelry at Ball State University.
And it’s not just happening in Muncie! This series is part of RJM Midwest, the largest radical jewelry makeover collaboration to date! In September, the collaboration gathered over $40,000 in donated gold and silver jewelry to be used for this and subsequent iterations of the project! That is not to mention the costume jewelry and other objects that were collected.
“The generosity of donors was shocking! I can’t wait to see what becomes of these materials as we work with artists and the community to remake the old pieces into new jewelry items,” said Erin Williams, Executive Director of MuncieArts.
How to be involved
A variety of events will be offered as part of the project, so check back at munciearts.org/RJM often to stay up to date. More events will be added in the spring of 2024. Below is a list of the currently planned events starting this fall. Each event is geared toward a different skill level, so read the descriptions to find a workshop that fits your skill level. For most events, no experience or prior knowledge is necessary!
Coming this Fall:
Workshop led by PlySpace Resident Artist Maia Leppo
Friday, October 20th from 5-9 PM
Location: Ball State University Arts and Journalism Building, Metals + Jewelry Studio, AJ123
RJM Makers Party – Intermediate skill level (some experience with jewelry and metalsmithing). Use your skills to remake items from the collection of donated jewelry into new items that will be highlighted and sold during the RJM Exhibition in January in Bloomington, IN, and in May in Muncie, IN.
RSVP to jcalderwood@bsu.edu
Special Event: Workshop, Artist Lecture, and Mindful Yoga in collaboration with COMPANION
with artists Braydee Euliss, Ellery Diaz, and Maia Leppo
Sunday October 29th from 11-4 PM
Location: PlySpace Gallery – 304 S. Walnut St, Muncie, IN
Join us for a full day workshop event:
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Mindful yoga practice focused on the heart chakra with Ellery Diaz
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM Potluck Lunch
- 1:00 – 1:30 Artist Lecture with PlySpace Resident Maia Leppo
- 1:30 – 5:00 RJM Maker Party for beginners (no experience necessary), ages 16+
Participants will bring one or more items of old jewelry to donate to the stash of materials. They will then leave with one new piece of jewelry they make while at the workshop. All other jewelry items made during the workshop will be sold to support the Ethical Metalsmiths society and MuncieArts on November 2nd. More details at munciearts.org/RJM.
RSVP at munciearts.org/RJM– Pay as you can.
Jewelry and Metalsmithing Exhibition and Sale
Thursday, November 2nd (First Thursday) 5-8 PM
Location: PlySpace Gallery – 304 S. Walnut St. Muncie, IN
Be inspired by an exhibition of work from participating professional metalsmiths from around the region. A selection of jewelry will be for sale through the Ball State Metals Guild and WORN Jewelry.
Workshop led by Jessica Calderwood, Associate Professor, Ball State School of Art
Friday, November 17th from 5-9 PM
Location: Ball State University Arts and Journalism Building, Metals + Jewelry Studio, AJ123
RJM Makers Party – Beginning and Intermediate skill level (no experience necessary). Use your skills to remake items from the collection of donated jewelry into new items that will be highlighted and sold during the RJM Exhibition in January in Bloomington, IN, and in May in Muncie, IN.
RSVP to jcalderwood@bsu.edu- Free
All event details and RSVP instructions can be found at munciearts.org/RJM
Learn more about Muncie Arts & Culture Council at www.munciearts.org. This project and MuncieArts are supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Muncie, the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, and the Ball Brothers Foundation.
