The Society of American Silversmiths (SAS) is an American arts organization, founded in April 1989 and headquartered in Rhode Island.[1][2] It is the nation's only professional organization devoted solely to the preservation and promotion of contemporary silversmithing.[1][3]
About
editIn addition to an outstanding benefits package, all members have access to the Society's technical and marketing expertise through its free consulting service to members. Its artisan members, those silversmiths who have been juried into the society based on their outstanding technical skill,[4] and are provided with support, networking, and greater access to the market. The SAS Artisan member archive contains a maker's mark registry, over 1,400 slides and 400 photographs, and a resume for each artisan member. They have also offered silversmith classes and an apprenticeship program.[5]
Through SAS, the public has access to a unique referral service that commissions silver holloware, flatware, and sculpture from its artisans.
History
editJeffrey Herman is the founder of the Society of American Silversmiths.[3] The SAS offered the Hans Christensen Sterling Silversmith's Award until 2006, a lifetime achievement award in silversmithing. The award was named after Hans Christensen (1924–1983), a metalsmith and a former professor at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).[6]
In 2012, the SAS had 48 members.[4]
Notable people
edit- Henry Petzal
- John Prip
- Heikki Seppä[7]
- Brooke Marks Swanson[8]
- Linda Threadgill
- Valentin Yotkov[8]
References
edit- ^ a b The Artful Home: The Guild Sourcebook of Residential Art. Guild, LLC. 2005. p. 316. ISBN 978-1-880140-56-7.
- ^ The Guild. Kraus Sikes. 1994. p. 227. ISBN 978-1-880140-10-9.
- ^ a b Suri, Charu (2019-11-19). "Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ a b Briggeman, Kim (November 25, 2012). "Crafting Silver: Frenchtown-area man creates pieces at home". Newspapers.com. The Montana Standard. p. D1. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ Oakes, Elizabeth H. (2009). Ferguson Career Resource Guide to Apprenticeship Programs, Third Edition, 2-Volume Set. Infobase Publishing. p. 505. ISBN 978-1-4381-1044-8.
- ^ "A Finding Aid to the Hans Christensen Papers, 1924-1989, bulk 1955-1983, in the Archives of American Art". SOVA.
- ^ "Heikki Seppa". Tacoma Art Museum. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ a b Austin, Alex (2007). The Craft of Silversmithing: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. pp. 153, 155. ISBN 978-1-60059-131-0.