Adam Whitney has experience in many metalsmithing techniques, but the North Carolina artist is partial to raising: the craft of making hollow, three-dimensional forms from hammered sheets of metal.
The artist: Whitney was born and raised in Rutland, VT. He earned his BFA in crafts/materials studies, with a focus on metalsmithing, from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Since then, he has worked as a bench jeweler, taught workshops and served as metal studio coordinator at the Penland School of Craft (NC) from 2007 to 2011. He is at Penland again for a three-year artist residency.
The company/studio: Whitney and his studio, AW metalsmith, currently are based at Penland School of Craft, where he is in his second year of the three-year artist in residency. Whitney works in the historic barn, which houses his studio, seven other resident artist studios, and is open to the public.
The art + materials: Drinking vessels and sculptural objects made from non-ferrous metals, silver being a favorite.
What’s popular: Small, silver carriage cups and simple bronze bowls ($450 to $600).
Inspiration:
- Ancient metal work that was created during the Bronze Age.
- Recently, the space program.
Fun commission: A sterling silver skull cup.
Recent work:
- A vessel that he worked on since January 2020. A complex form, it is based on Rhyton of the ancient Mediterranean. The horn-shaped vessel has a drinking hole at the bottom. The hole was often part of an animal head or torso fitted onto the end of the horn. Whitney remembers seeing these forms in museums when he was getting interested in metal work.
- A series of cups that resemble space suit helmets.
What’s new:
- A series of silver and 24k gold cups.
- Silver cups made in the shape of space-suit gloves.
Where to buy: Penland Gallery & Visitors Center (NC) or https://penland.org/gallery
Get social at:
- Instagram: @awmetalsmith
- Website: aw-metalsmith.com
