Three remarkable craftspeople—furniture-maker Michael Hurwitz, ceramicist Diego Romero, and metalsmith and sculptor Marilyn da Silva—will be in residence as Montgomery Fellows this term. They are part of “A Celebration of Making” the Montgomery Fellows Program is sponsoring in conjunction with the Hopkins Center for the Art’s woodworking, jewelry, and ceramics workshops.
All three fellows will engage with makers throughout the Dartmouth community. In addition, their work will be on display in Dartmouth Library’s Baker-Berry Library throughout the term.
First up is the Philadelphia-based Hurwitz, who will be in residence from Jan. 24 to Feb. 4. Hurwitz has been making beautiful, functional furniture since 1979 and his work has been collected by Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, the Smithsonian, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
“I enjoy Hurwitz’s extensive variation of designs, the beautiful repeating patterns, and his broad range of materials used in traditional and unique applications,” says Greg Elder, director of Dartmouth’s woodworking workshop. “His panoramic consideration of overall design coupled with the smallest details makes his pieces flow with sensitive coherence.”
Romero will be in residence February 7 to 18. A Santa Fe, N.M.-based member of the Cochiti Pueblo tribe, Romero’s ceramic vessel elevate his Pueblo heritage and mesh ancient styles, from the American Southwest to ancient Greece.
Romero is able “to seamlessly reference the ancient, such as Mimbres pottery and Greek mythology, while clearly creating contemporary ceramics,” says Jenny Swanson, director of the ceramics studio.
Finally, Marilyn Da Silva will be in residence Feb. 21 to March 4. A fellow of the American Craft Council and a professor and program co-chair of the Jewelry/Metal Arts Program at California College of the Arts in Oakland, her work can be seen at Museum of Modern Art in Seoul, the National Gallery of Australia, and the Indiana University Museum.
“I’ve often heard da Silva’s work described as visual poetry,” says Jeffrey Georgantes, director of the Donald Claflin Jewelry Studio. “It also resembles how dancers tell a story: They use movement, light, and sound to express the emotion in a narrative. Da Silva uses color, form, and materials blended with carefully chosen images to tell complex stories without words.”
“The idea of a Montgomery series organized around these brilliant craftspeople was originally championed by the Hop workshop directors,” says Montgomery Director Steve Swayne. “I’m delighted that Montgomery can help highlight not only the work of the fellows, but also the workshops, which are such a vibrant part of the student experience.”
Public Talks
Each Montgomery Fellow will give a public lecture in Alumni Hall at the Hopkins Center. The events are free, but tickets are required and advance registration is encouraged.
Sources of Inspiration
5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2
Art, Humor, and Narrative in Pueblo Pottery
5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16
My Journey With Metal
5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23
About the Montgomery Fellows Program
Established in 1977, the Montgomery Fellows Program brings distinguished visitors—scholars, artists, authors, historians, politicians, and more—to campus for residencies ranging from several days to an entire term. More than 230 fellows, including Yo-Yo Ma, Cornel West, Desmond Tutu, Joan Didion, and Gerald Ford, have taught, spent time creating new works and scholarship, delivered public lectures, and connected with students and the greater Dartmouth community.
