Bio
Sydney Brown is a metalsmith, jeweler, and installation artist . She was born and raised in the Southern California city of Santa Barbara. It was there, that she first fell in love with the art and craft of Jewelry making. She arrived in the Bay Area in 2002 to follow her dream of becoming an artist. She holds a Bachelor of fine arts from the Academy of Art University where she focused on jewelry, installation, and sculpture. While studying sculpture and fashion at the academy, she fell in love with the meditative nature of creating handmade chain. It is not uncommon to find her hidden in a corner, gently manipulating wire into lengths of beautiful chain. She is best known for her metal headpieces that draw inspiration from a family history in millinery design and fabrication to create contemporary sculptures that can be worn.
In 2012 Sydney moved to Chicago, Illinois where she had the privilege of working as a production jeweler and stone setter for Gustav Reyes with "Simply Wood Rings" (www.simplywoodrings.com). Sydney also co-created and curated a large bi-annual craft fair, Revolution Craft Show Chicago, an event created by and for creative entrepreneurs looking to show their work while connecting with their immediate community and audience. Sydney has taught private classes in New Mexico, Chicago, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles, through which she has come to love the intimate exchange between student and mentor. Sydney greatly values the process of facilitating breakthrough moments for creators of all skill levels.
Starting in 2014, Sydney served a two year term as a member of the board of directors for the Society of North American Goldsmiths. She is currently a member of the SF Metal arts guild. Sydney's work has exhibited in North American venues including the Sanchez Art Gallery (Pacifica), Oakland Museum of California (Oakland), and Fuel Gallery (Philadelphia). Sydney was awarded a fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center in both 2007 and 2011 as well as The Stone House Residency for contemporary arts in 2014.
Sydney is happiest running around the Sierras with her family. When not exploring the wild with her husband and toddler she thrives on creating intimate pieces of art meant to connect with and soothe the heart.
Sydney Brown Curriculum Vitae
Education
2007Academy of Art University, BFA Fine art/ Sculpture
Awards and residencies
2014 Stonehouse Residency for the Contemporary Arts: Resident Artist
2011 Vermont Studio Center: Resident Artist – awarded fellowship
2007 Vermont Studio Center: Resident Artist – awarded fellowship
2007 Academy of Art University: Best of Show 2nd Place
2006 Niche Student Awards: Best of Fashion Accessories
2006 Academy of Art University: Best ofShow 3rd Place
2004 Academy of Art University: Best of Show 3rd Place
Exhibitions
2014 Stonehouse Residents Show, Miramonte, Ca.
Interface interference, The Carrack Modern Art, Durham, NC
2013 Head Over Heels Solo Show, Macchiarini Creative Design Gallery,San Francisco, Ca.
Jewelry Beef, Gallery F, Chicago, IL
Revolution Craft Show Chicago, Chicago, IL
2012 Homage to Ancestors, Macchiarini Creative Arts, San Francisco, Ca.
Word Maps, Green Hill Center For NC Arts, Greensboro, NC
2011 Holiday Craft Boutique to benefit the Santa Barbara Transition House, Santa Barbara, Ca.
2008 Radical Jewelry Makeover, Velvet Divinci Gallery, San Francisco, Ca.
Dissolve, SubMission Gallery, San Francisco, and Ca.
Social Conditioning, Femina Potens Gallery, San Francisco, Ca
2007 Spring Show, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, Ca.
Sunset by the bay, Non-Profit Fundraiser/Silent auction, San Francisco
Puppies are Biodegradable, Fuel Collection Gallery, Philadelphia, PA.
Where My Bitches at?, Ghost Town Gallery, Oakland, Ca.
Mnemosyne, Balazo 18 Gallery, San Francisco, Ca.
2006 Organic Matters, Sanchez Art Gallery, Pacifica, Ca.
Spring show, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, Ca.
2005 Group Exhibition, Gallery One, San Francisco, Ca.
MAG 2005 Collectors Gallery, Oakland Museum of California, Oakland,Ca
Spring show, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, Ca.
2004 Scavengers, Cachi Art Gallery, San Francisco, Ca.
Spring show, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, Ca.
2003 Spring show, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, Ca.
Curatorial:
2015 December Revolution Craft Show Chicago
2014 December Revolution Craft Show Chicago
February Revolution Craft Show Chicago
2013 December Revolution Craft Show Chicago
June Revolution Craft Show Chicago
February Revolution Craft Show Chicago
2008 Dissolve:
A mixed media exhibition of installation, sculpture, and works on paper by
eight San Francisco and out of state artists who have set out to dissect and
interpret the conceptual, emotional, and cultural constructs of the word
dissolve.
2007 Mnemosyne:
Five local sculpture and installation artists investigate memory as perception,
process, form, consumption and physical transcription.
Teaching experience
2010-2015 Home Studio: Private instruction- Santa Barbara, Chicago, Los Angeles
Instructs students from the basic metalsmithing rules and techniques to
the advanced techniques and concepts of creating wearable art.
Students are taught the principles and elements of designing, planning,
creating and critique.
2007-2010 Sub/Mission, Balazo 18: Metalsmithing Instructor
Led beginners and advanced students to complete jewelry projects from
the design on paper through to the finished wearable piece.
2007 New Door Ventures: Visiting Artist and Workshop Leader
Worked with youth to develop and produce a mural representing a
diverse group of visions and experiences. New Door provides jobs,
job-readiness and supportive community to youth with histories of
homelessness, substance
abuse and extreme poverty.
Professional work experience
2014-2016 Served as a board member for the Society of North American Goldsmiths
2014-2015 Administrative assistant and bench jeweler for Simply Wood Rings,Chicago, IL.
Publications
Bonnie Zanardi, “Sanchez sculpture exhibit takes its cue from nature,”
Oakland Tribune, March 23, 2006.
Kathleen Salvia, " Organic Matters," Art Guild of Pacifica, The Dirty Pallete, March 2006
http://www.artguildofpacifica.org/dirty%20palette/March%20DP%2006/DPmarch06p3.html
FeatureExpress.com, “ Return of the Mad Hatter,” April 2006.
Suzy Menkes, “Student shows: Brit Spirit Goes West”
International Herald Tribune, June 7, 2005.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/style/student-shows-brit-spirit-goes-west.html
Academyart.edu, “ Sculptor Sydney Brown Tarman Brings Home coveted Niche Award” Fall 2005