Self-taught metalsmith, custom jeweler, and enamelist creating 2D/3D works using hand fabrication, casting, and/or forging techniques to create singular, emotive works for wear or display. Gallery owner and volunteer advocate for the arts. ... view more »
| Self-taught metalsmith, custom jeweler, and enamelist creating 2D/3D works using hand fabrication, casting, and/or forging techniques to create singular, emotive works for wear or display. Gallery owner and volunteer advocate for the arts.
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| Non-University Instruction |
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| Studied Under: |
| Marilyn Smith |
| Angela Bubash |
| Ginger Meek Allen |
| John Cogswell |
| Jan Harrell |
| Juan-Carlos Cabalerro |
| Michael David Sturlin
Currently attending Indiana University-Purdue University in the Liberal Arts College |
| 1999 to Present |
Nancy Lee Designs |
Indianapolis, IN |
| Metalsmith, Gallerist, Instructor |
| Metalsmith: Designs and fabricates enameled copper paintings, forged copper sculpture, and fabricated metal jewelry for sale direct to the public through galleries and online.
Gallerist: Owner of Nancy Lee Designs Studio, a gallery for showing works of local emerging and mid-career artists.
Instructor: Teaches metalsmithing privately and via workshops in the US and abroad. |
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| 2/2005-9/2008 |
Colliers Turley Martin Tucker |
Indianapolis, IN |
| Manager, Construction Services |
| Managed construction services for tenant renovation projects in offices and industrial settings for multiple properties in Indianapolis and surrounding communities.
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| 12/1999-2/2005 |
Indianapolis Museum of Art |
Indianapolis, IN |
| Administrator, Business Operations |
| Provided direction and leadership within a team framework to manage $74 million expansion/renovation for fine arts museum. Multiple public speaking and meeting management requirements. Project completed within established budget and timeline, meeting museum strategic mission and goals. Promoted from Executive Assistant to Administrator, Business Operations in 2002. |
| 2019, Tiny VIII Show, Gallery 924, IN
2016, Tiny V Show, Gallery 924, IN
2016, Blue Show, The Harrison Center for the Arts, IN
2015, Tiny IV Show, Gallery 924, IN
2015, Black Tie Show, The Harrison Center for the Arts, IN
2014, Tiny III Show, Gallery 924, IN |
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| 2014, Faculty Show, Indianapolis Art Center, IN |
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| 2014, Trunk Show, Pattern Store, IN |
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| 2013, Faculty Show, Indianapolis Art Center, IN |
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| 2013, IDADA Members Exhibition, The Arch at Chatham, IN |
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| 2013, Solo Exhibition, Seed & Star Studio, IN |
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| 2013, Group Exhibition, Plainfield Library, IN |
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| 2012, ReStart Gallery Exhibition, Ivy Tech, Columbus, IN |
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| 2011, Faculty Show, Indianapolis Art Center, IN |
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| 2011, PUSH: Exploring Boundaries, Solo Show, IN |
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| 2010, Sketchbook Show, Raymond James Stutz ArtSpace, IN |
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| 2009, Midwest Fashion Week, Scottish Rite Cathedral, IN |
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| 2009, Faculty Show, Indianapolis Art Center, IN |
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| 2009, Oranje Juried Show, IN |
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| 2008, Earth Poems Show, Wug Laku’s Studio & Garage, IN |
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| 2008, Elegant Funk Exhibition, Circle City Industrial Complex, IN |
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| 2002, Masked Ball Gallery Exhibition, GC Lucas Gallery, IN
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| Cleary, Vanessa: “Musical Jewelry,” NOTES, Sept. 5, 2015
Koller, Savary: “Hold Out Hope for Future Arts Coverage,” Indianapolis News Beat, Dec. 15, ‘14 |
| Vandivier, Hugh: “A Chat with Nancy Lee,” SkyBlue Window Blog, Jan. 22, 2014 |
| Eamon-Shine, Kirsten: “Perfectly Present-able,” SkyBlue Window Blog, Dec. 5, 2013 |
| Schneider, Janet: “All we want for Christmas is…,” Indianapolis Star, Nov. 24, 2013 |
| Winslow, Ethel: “Nancy Lee Designs a Bright Future,” Cover, Weekly View, Aug. 9, 2013 |
| Schneider, Janet: “Author Event: Making Jewelry with Nancy Lee,” Indianapolis Star, Aug. 1, ‘13 |
| Hinkel, Emily: “How to First Friday,” SkyBlue Window Blog, Apr. 2, 2013 |
| Gibson, DW: “Not Working: The Pulse of the Great Recession,” (documentary) Films Media Group, © 2013 |
| Shoger, Scott: “Not Working: a chorus of the unemployed,” NUVO, Jul. 27, 2012 |
| Gibson, DW: “Not Working: People Talk About Losing a Job and Finding Their Way in Today’s New Economy,” (final chapter in book) Penguin, Jul. 3, 2012 |
| Grossman, Dan: “First Fridays – Circle City Industrial Complex,” NUVO, Jun. 01, 2011 |
| Elig, Jenny: “Fashion Close-Ups: Nancy Lee,” Indianapolis Star, Mar. 27, 2011 |
| Saetre, Julie Cope: “Artists Have Industrial Strength,” Indianapolis Star, June 27, 2010 |
| Watt Grade, Susan: “Oranje Profile: Nancy Lee,” Sept. 15, 2009 |
| Winslow, Ethel: First Friday Full of ‘Firsts’,” Weekly View, Mar. 13, 2009 |
| Gilmer, Susan: “BOI Clients Moving Forward,” Small Biz Insights, Jan. 2009
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| The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Making Metal Jewelry, Nancy Lee, Alpha Books, 2013 |
| 30-Minute Bracelets: 60 Quick & Creative Projects for Jewelers, Marthe Le Van, Lark Crafts, 2012, pp. 34-35. |
| 2017, Girl Scout Troup Instructor, Jewelry Making Badge, Indianapolis, IN
2017, BeadFest Metal Jewelry Instructor, Santa Fe, NM
2014, “So, You Want to Set Up a Studio?”, Indianapolis Art Center Workshop, IN |
| 2014, “Intricate Sawn Earrings,” Indianapolis Art Center Workshop, IN |
| 2014, “Recalibrate Expectations, Rekindle Your Career,” Business & Professional Exchange, IN |
| 2014, Indy Chamber Monumental Awards Presenter for Public Art, JW Marriott, IN
2013, Book Launch and Live Demo for The Complete Idiots Guide to Making Metal Jewelry, Indy Reads Books, Indianapolis, IN |
| 2012, “Fabricate Elaborate,” Indianapolis Art Center Workshop, IN |
| 2012, “Teapots Workshop,” Instructor Assistant to John Cogswell, Arrowmont School, TN |
| 2012, Pattern Group Presentation, The Speak Easy, IN
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| Awards/Grants/Residencies |
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| 2017, Honorable Mention, Eric Sharp Gateway Poetry Award, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN
2016, Individual Artists Award, Indiana Arts Commission
2013, Instructors Assistant, Teapot Fabrication Workshop, Arrowmont School, TN
2011, Individual Artist Award, Indiana Arts Commission |
| 2010, First Place, Jewelry, Professional Fine Arts, IN State Fair |
| 2009, Studio Assistantship, (Five-week residency) Arrowmont School, TN |
| 2009, First Place Sculpture, Professional Fine Arts, IN State Fair |
| 2009, Second Place, Objects, Professional Fine Arts, IN State Fair
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| 2014-Present, Founder and President: Indy Metalsmith Guild
2016-Volunteer, Indianapolis Artists and Dealers Association (IDADA) |
| 2014-15, President: Indianapolis Artist and Dealers Association (IDADA) |
| 2012-13, Vice President, IDADA |
| 2011-2012, Secretary, IDADA |
| 2000-Present, Member, Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) |
| 1998-Present, Artist Member, Indianapolis Art Center |
| 2008, Winners Walk Tall, Indianapolis Public Schools Program Volunteer |
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MORE ABOUT THIS ARTIST
Artist Style: Literary: Non-Fiction, Poetry; Visual: Abstract, Conceptual, Contemporary, Decorative/Ornamental, Dream Imagery/Ethereal, Environmental, Ethnic, Functional, Impressionistic, Nature/Wildlife
More InfoAbout My Work: I bring dreams to life in metal. My goals is to inspire viewers to invent their own meaning when viewing my work, which is expressed in exquisite detail in jewelry or informed by gestures and landscapes in enameled paintings.
Jewelry includes alternative wedding and engagement rings and a retail jewelry line, shown in my gallery space or available on my website. Paintings are kiln-fired vitreous enamel on copper substrates. Vitreous enamel is colored, powdered glass and my preferred way to use it is sifted through a sieve or poured as a liquid onto prepared copper. Whether jewelry or 2D work, ancient metalworking techniques are applied to old, new, and recycled materials with a modern twist.
I aim to employ responsible studio practices and use recycled materials in my work as much as possible as well as safe disposal of used materials and chemical.
Pricing Information:
- Jewelry: Prices range from $40 – $3,000, with most works available in the $50-$500 range
- Custom Jewelry prices in silver, karat gold, and gemstones range from $250 – $4,000
- Kiln-Fired Enamel paintings: Pieces range from $100 – $500
- Limited private instruction starting at $60 an hour
- Gift Certificates: Available in any denomination
Education: I’ve received no formal art education. Key jewelry making, metalsmithing and design techniques were learned in workshops taught by instructors Michael David Sturlin, John Cogswell (also, his book), Juan Carolos Caballero-Perez, Angela Bubash and Marilyn Smith. Training in enamel techniques from Jan Harrell and Jessica Calderwood and Linda Darty’s excellent book, The Art of Enameling: Techniques, Projects, and Inspiration.
Affiliations: Indiana Artisan Designation for Jewelry; Founder, Indy Metalsmith; Past President, Indianapolis Downtown Artist & Dealers Association (IDADA); Member, Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG); Past Faculty Member, Indianapolis Art Center
Awards:
- Rebecca Pitts Award for Fiction Writing, 2020
- Marianne Hedges Poetry Prize, 2019
- Eric Sharp Gateway Poetry Award, Honorable Mention, 2018
- Indiana Artisan Program Designation, Jewelry
- Indiana Arts Commission Individual Artist Grant, 2010-11, 2016-17
- First Place, Indiana State Fair, Jewelry, Professional Division, 2010
- First Place, Indiana State Fair, Sculpture, Professional Division, 2009 and 2011
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Hello everyone,
I attended First Friday last week and met Nancy Lee for the first time. Her work is impressive and I purchased a lovely pair of earrings. However, Nancy made as much of a positive impression on me as her jewelry! If you haven’t seen her work in person, go and see her studio and I promise you won’t regret it.
Amy Ryll
Hello everyone,
View lessI attended First Friday last week and met Nancy Lee for the first time. Her work is impressive and I purchased a lovely pair of earrings. However, Nancy made as much of a positive impression on me as her jewelry! If you haven’t seen her work in person, go and see her studio and I promise you won’t regret it.
Amy Ryll
Thank you so much for sharing your impressions of my studio, Amy! I enjoy hosting First Fridays and am glad you enjoyed yourself. Thanks again for the positive words, and hope to see you again soon.
Thank you so much for sharing your impressions of my studio, Amy! I enjoy hosting First Fridays and am glad you enjoyed yourself. Thanks again for the positive words, and hope to see you again soon.
View less