matthew smith

In his jewelry work, North Carolina’s Matthew Smith draws on his background in graphic design and his appreciation of mid-century modern style.

Artist: Born and raised in Columbus, OH, Smith graduated with a BFA from Wake Forest University, where he focused on printmaking and sculpture.

For 20 years, he worked as a freelance graphic designer, but always felt the need to work more with his hands.

Smith took a silversmithing class at a local art center and a jewelry class at Penland School of Craft.

“I enjoyed the opportunities offered by the scale and process,” said Smith. “It seemed like a great way to incorporate my graphics background with my love of making objects,”

Company/studio: Matthew Smith Studios, based in Asheville, started in 2010. He has a home studio.

Art & materials: Jewelry, including earrings, necklaces and rings, made mostly from sterling silver, cast resin, and rosewood. ($45 to $695 with most items in the $100 to $200 range).

What’s popular: Small post earrings that are understated and easy to wear. “Not a lot of art jewelers make small posts,” Smith said.

His favorites: Brooches. “I often wear one when I go out,” said Smith.

Favorite tool: A saw/jig combo.

Inspirations: Designers and architects of the mid-20^th century, including:

Artists Charles and Ray Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Alexander Calder.
Jewelers Betty Cooke, Earl Pardon and Art Smith.

Special or unusual commissions: Make a pendant for the outgoing president of Equality North Carolina a while back. The design was an abstraction of its ENC logo.

Recent honor: Last summer, Smith was approached by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation about carrying his work in the museum store at Taliesin West, Wright’s winter studio and residence in Scottsdale, AZ.

“It has been a terrific experience to have my work represented in that setting,” said Smith.

Recent project: Rebuilding his former makeshift space into a proper studio.

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