Cornwall: necklace. Mixed media. Silver, stone, shells, and bone.
Robert Ebendorf is presently a Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor at East Carolina University, and is currently completing a three-year simultaneous appointment at the University of West England's Bristol school of Art, Media, and Design. The Eureka Springs School of Art welcomes him back for a Spring Masters Class, May 15-17 which filled early.
I met Robert (Bob) Ebendorf in 1974 when I was a senior at Memphis College Of Art. He and a number of the country's leading metal smiths had come to give a workshop. Bob and I were both 34 at that time. I was a mother of two, a Viet Nam widow and was fulfilling my lifetime dream of being an artist by going back to college. Bob on the other hand had completed his masters, received a Fulbright Scholar Grant to study abroad at the State School of Applied Arts and Crafts in Oslo, Norway, had developed the now internationally acclaimed metals program at SUNY (State University of New York), New Paltz and helped founded SNAG Society of North American Goldsmiths.
Cameo Blue: brooch. Silver and found parts. Mixed media
Fragment: Brooch. Mixed media. Photograph, broken glass and jar lid.
Oh, he was also already know as a "Guru" of found object art, an alchemist of sorts turning ugliness into beauty by mixing found objects with precious metals and jewels, turning them into art objects. I did not see him again until he came to Eureka Springs to curate a show of Elsie Freund's jewelry in the mid 90's. He agreed to come back the following summer and hold a workshop for the E.S. Guild of Artists and Craftspeople at my studio. At that time I introduced Bob to my friend Douglas (Doug) Stowe (famed woodworker) and we told him about our long time idea of starting an Arts and Craft school in Eureka Springs. Bob said, “Build it and we will come”.
Claw and Roses: Pin. Mixed media. Crab claw, beach glass. 24kt gold and found parts.
He gave us much needed advice on the process of founding the school, plus made arrangements for Doug to attend Penland School of Crafts while Bob would be teaching there. I attended the Association of Art Colonies in America conference in San Antonio and within a year ESSA was born. Bob kept his promise. We built it and he did come. He gave his first Masters Class for ESSA in 2006 and will be teaching again this month. He has recommended and helped the school obtain other noted instructors, including Tim McCreight, PMC Master.
Shell and Nail: Pin. Mixed media. Shell, pearl, nail, turquoise and copper.
Bob calls himself a “Maker”.
Well, in the case of ESSA he has helped “make” some dreams come true not just for the founders, Board of Directors, Executive Director and staff, but especially for every student that has started to fulfill their dream of becoming a “Maker” too.
Contributed by Mary Springer, “Maker”, Founder and Board Member of ESSA
More information can be found about Robert Ebendorf online. May we suggest these links:
All photographs of the artist's work is copyright protected by Robert Ebendorf. Used by permission.
1 comments:
I just love your work........wow your good! Neat stuff.
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