Jewelry is the ultimate of shapeshifters.

It is never fixed and always moving.

Its materiality transforms from one state to another.

Its power accruing when passed from one generation to the next.

Its meaning can transmute depending on the body of which it is worn.

It can go in covertly or present itself outright.

It is always in dialogue with context, site, and ceremony.

Jewelry is never neutral.

It is always signaling, marking, and beckoning.

The Jewelry + Metalsmithing department is a living creature. Each inhalation draws in new students, faculty, guests and more fleeting radicals that feed and alter the body, as a metabolic exchange. Tectonic slippage and subduction alters the landscape of the jewelry field and opens up new contexts. Our students go out into the world navigating new terrain.

This year’s J+M Triennial Exhibition focuses on the theme of Shape Shifting. As with any departmental triennial, the occasion marks the opportunity for the department to reflect on the work being created within, and beyond, and how it may be shifting over time.

We are honored to have Marie-José van den Hout, owner of Galerie Marzee, as our guest curator for this call. Located in Nijmegen, Netherlands, Galerie Marzee is the most renowned contemporary art jewelry gallery in the world. All work juried and accepted by Marzee, will be featured in the J+M Triennial in the “Marzee Room” of the Woods Gerry gallery, showcasing this distinction. We are thrilled that Marie-José will be with us for the Closing Reception to celebrate and speak to the work that was chosen. We hope that you can join us in Providence for this event.

All entries submitted through this portal will be curated by Marzee.

This call is open to current RISD J+M students and RISD J+M Alumni.