I can't wait to introduce you to jewelry designer and Greenville native Katie Poterala. She is immensely talented, sweet, and will be leading two fantastic classes in September. I'm excited to have her as a guest blogger to give a little background on her work-- xx M
From Katie: Hi there! I’m so excited about the upcoming metals and jewelry classes that I’ll be offering at Vino and VanGogh!
You’re probably wondering who I am, what my work is like, or how I got into Jewelry in the first place. So, let me share with you a little bit about who I am and what I do. My name is Katie Poterala, and I am a professional artist with a focus in metalsmithing and (most recently) jewelry design. I make both one of a kind sculptural objects (both wearable and not), and I also maintain two production lines (including a brand new bridal line) that I make out of my personal studio, which are available online and in various galleries and shops across the country.
Earring Design Night - September 18th - 6:30-8:30 Sign Up
Necklace Making Night: September 25th - 6:30-8:30 - Sign Up
I grew up here in Greenville, SC, and have just recently returned (and man, is it nice to be home!). I first became excited about jewelry as a high school student at the Fine Arts Center, and can’t possibly say enough wonderful things about that place. I fell in love with metals after my very first class. From there, I went to Winthrop University to pursue a BFA in Jewelry, and then to Arizona State University for my Masters in Metals. Along the way, I became connected to a wonderful community of other artists and metalsmiths, learned a ton of techniques and processes, and have found countless amazing opportunities and organizations in this field. I absolutely love what I do, and am excited to share some of it with you!
I’ve included a couple of images of my own work, one from my recent MFA Thesis Exhibition, Decadence + Decay, and one from my production line. If you want to see more, head on over to my website, www.katiepoterala.com, and explore! You can also find a detailed artist statement there (under Decadence + Decay), which gives a more thorough description of the motivation and aesthetics behind my designs. If you want to see some work in person, head on over to the Matthew Campbell Gallery in downtown Greenville!
There are some really great classes coming up, and some fun techniques I can’t wait to share. I’m really looking forward to meeting you and making some awesome bling!
