Meet artists Kathryn Carlyle and Cheryl Gibbs and hear the behind-the-scenes view of their inspiration and processes during An Artist Talk, First Friday on Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. at Butterfield Gallery in St. Augustine.
Carlyle and Gibbs’ unique collaboration began during silversmithing classes at the Boca Raton Art Museum School two decades ago. They formed a bond and began to jointly create one-of-a-kind wearable art. Exhibiting at galleries, art shows and many other venues together, their designs have hit the runways and have been recognized in films. CarlyleGibbs has received numerous awards throughout the years.
Carlyle’s primary focus is her jewelry designs and metal work. Her unique art jewelry incorporates rich textured surfaces, colorful vibrant gem stones and tailored precious metals. Carlyle accents many of her work with unusual materials to create a new look. In the artist’s own view, she believes “the pieces of jewelry I create are meant to be savored and handled. Each piece I design has a rich heritage; it is my desire to enhance and embellish the materials by adding my own unique creativity to my limited-edition collectibles.”
Since college, Gibbs has been involved in the arts as a designer, in product development and as a gallery manager, but she is most proud of her jewelry designs. Winning first prize at Disney Worlds Festival of the Arts was a career highlight. Gibbs’ works use a variety of essential skills in production. The metal is hand-fabricated either with a saw and solder or created with metal clay and fired in a kiln, along with advanced techniques including chasing, piercing, enamel, granulation and casting. She has learned to mix materials and processes to create original works and the result is stylish, elegant and unusual jewelry.
