Nancy Lee

Literary Arts ; Multi Arts ; Visual Arts : Jewelry , Mixed Media , Painting , Sculpture , Visual Arts Instructor

Comment

Nancy Lee

Nancy Lee Designs

1125 Brookside Ave, C4

Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.937.1652

nancy@ndesignsmetal.com

leenld@iu.edu

Profile

Self-taught metalsmith, enamelist and designer focusing on 2D/3D works using hand fabrication and forging techniques to create singular, emotive works for wear or display. Gallery owner and volunteer advocate for the arts.

Non-University Instruction

Studied

…

Nancy Lee

Nancy Lee Designs

1125 Brookside Ave, C4

Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.937.1652

nancy@ndesignsmetal.com

leenld@iu.edu

Profile

Self-taught metalsmith, enamelist and designer focusing on 2D/3D works using hand fabrication and forging techniques to create singular, emotive works for wear or display. Gallery owner and volunteer advocate for the arts.

Non-University Instruction

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

Work Experience

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.


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.

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.

Select Exhibitions

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
2014, Faculty Show, Indianapolis Art Center, IN
2014, Trunk Show, Pattern Store, IN
2013, Faculty Show, Indianapolis Art Center, IN
2013, IDADA Members Exhibition, The Arch at Chatham, IN
2013, Solo Exhibition, Seed & Star Studio, IN
2013, Group Exhibition, Plainfield Library, IN
2012, ReStart Gallery Exhibition, Ivy Tech, Columbus, IN
2011, Faculty Show, Indianapolis Art Center, IN
2011, PUSH: Exploring Boundaries, Solo Show, IN
2010, Sketchbook Show, Raymond James Stutz ArtSpace, IN
2009, Midwest Fashion Week, Scottish Rite Cathedral, IN
2009, Faculty Show, Indianapolis Art Center, IN
2009, Oranje Juried Show, IN
2008, Earth Poems Show, Wug Laku’s Studio & Garage, IN
2008, Elegant Funk Exhibition, Circle City Industrial Complex, IN
2002, Masked Ball Gallery Exhibition, GC Lucas Gallery, IN

News/Interviews

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

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

Publications

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.

Teaching/Speaking

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

Awards/Grants/Residencies

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

Memberships/Volunteer

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

View less

MORE ABOUT THIS ARTIST

Artist Style: Literary : Poetry ; Visual : Abstract , Conceptual , Contemporary , Decorative/Ornamental , Dream Imagery/Ethereal , Environmental , Ethnic , Functional , Impressionistic , Nature/Wildlife

Artist Medium: Visual Arts : Bronze , Mixed Media , Wood ; silver, gold, copper, brass, found objects, enamel on copper

More Info

About My Work:

I have vivid dreams and recreate them in metal. My work is individual in nature, expressed in exquisite detail. Jewelry work includes pendants, earrings, pins, bracelets, rings and cufflinks. Small object work includes sculpture, tiny boxes, and other little things. Custom design is the foundation of what I do. Ancient metalworking techniques are applied to old, new, and recycled materials. A lot of pieces are simply made from one type of metal, with no embellishments other than the mark of the hammer, and truly only come to life when worn on the body. Semi-precious stones, pearls, enamels and found objects are added as embellishments. Pieces sometime turn out very simple and pure, and other times, complex and ornate. I attempt to create a work that inspires the viewers own narrative as to their meaning.

Pricing Information:

Jewelry and Small Object Pricing: Prices range from $40 – $4,000, with most works available in the $50-$500 range.
Metalworking and Jewelry Fabrication Classes: Small group instruction in metalworking/jewelry making are available by contacting the artist directly, and vary in cost and duration. Class sizes are limited.
Private instruction / video consultation starting at $60 an hour with an initial class minimum of three hours.
Gift Certificates: Available in any denomination for private instruction, ready-made or custom jewelry or sculpture.

Education:

Key jewelry making, metalsmithing and design knowledge as been gained from instructors John Cogswell, Juan Carolos Caballero-Perez, Angela Bubash and Marilyn Smith.

Affiliations:

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:

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