For Immediate Release
January 16, 2004
Contact:
Brent Sverdloff 781/259-3628, bsverdloff@decordova.org
Sarah Smith 781/259-3663, ssmith@decordova.org
Silversmith Alan Place @ DeCordova: Educational Programming
DeCordova Museum School
Sunday, February 22, 2004, from 3 – 4:30 pm
LINCOLN, MA—Internationally renowned Scottish silversmith Alan Place will hold a lecture on his craft on Sunday, February 22 at 3 pm at the DeCordova Museum School. Entitled "Tears of the Moon: One Man's Journey in the World of Silversmithing," the reference owes its origin to the Peruvian Incas, who called gold "sweat of the sun" and silver "tears of the moon."
Mr. Place will provide a historical overview of the practice of silversmithing in social culture, with particular attention to the impact that the trade exercised on banking, production of coinage, and pawnbroking. Mr. Place will also address the history of goldsmiths and their role during the British Civil War (Cromwell/Charles I). Of equal interest will be his discussion of how his designs, commissions, and final products have come about, as well as the nature of the commissions he has executed.
"Tears of the Moon: One Man's Journey in the World of Silversmithing" will include slides of approximately 80 widely varied pieces of Mr. Place's stunning work. Key pieces include:
Twickenham Plate (38-piece banqueting service for the Richmond/Twickenham Local Council)
Rose bowl for the Queen Mother
Badge of Office for Leslie & Fife (Scotland)
Chalice, Liverpool Cathedral
Select pieces for Old Newbury Crafters, hollowware makers and flatware designers
"Alan Place is a silversmith's silversmith," says Claire Loughheed, Director of Education at DeCordova. "The breadth of his knowledge is amazing whether it's a conversation about history, design, technique, or materials. This talk will appeal enormously not just to silversmiths and jewelers but also to collectors and those who value the role of the artisan in contemporary culture."
Mr. Place's career training includes degrees from Leeds College of Art, where he studied with Master Silversmith Alan Fisher of Fisher & Wrenwick Silversmiths of Sheffield, and London's Royal College of Art. He also holds the coveted certification for the City and Guilds of London exams for gold and silversmithing work.
Alan Place lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts, where he maintains a silversmithing studio. He is currently a visiting artist in the DeCordova Museum School Jewelry/ Silversmithing program. This lecture is underwritten through the DeCordova Annual Benefit's Visiting Artist Fund.
Admission is free and reservations are required. Please call 781/259-0505 to book your tickets for the lecture on Sunday, February 22 lecture from 3 - 4:30 pm.
About the DeCordova Museum School
The DeCordova Museum School offers the largest non-degree granting art schools in Massachusetts. In excess of 4,200 registrations are processed annually for roughly 400 classes and workshops in many disciplines, including book arts, ceramics, drawing, fiber arts, furniture, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and silversmithing. The School is one of three initiatives operated by DeCordova's Education Department, which leads the way in innovative practices in its programming. The other two programs are outreach, which includes DeCordova's traveling exhibition program Gallery on the Go, and interpretation, which facilitates the accessibility of contemporary art through activities, lectures, and other events.
The Museum School is part of DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, a museum of modern and contemporary American art with a particular focus on the work of New England artists. It features the only year-round public sculpture park of its kind in New England, as well as a retail store that sells art supplies and work by regional artists, and a Corporate Program that offers Boston-area companies such membership benefits as the Art Loan Option-an exhibition of Museum-owned and loaned artwork for display in Corporate Member offices. DeCordova opened in 1950 on the former estate of Julian de Cordova, a Boston entrepreneur and art collector. More information is online at www.decordova.org.
Directions to DeCordova
DeCordova is located within easy access of Interstates 93, 95, 495, Route 2, and the Massachusetts Turnpike.
" From Route 2: Take Rte 2 to Rte 126 South. Take a left on Baker Bridge Road (street immediately following Walden Pond). At the end of Baker Bridge Road, take a right onto Sandy Pond Road. DeCordova is 1/4 mile on the left.
" From I-495: Exit Rte 2 East and follow above directions.
" From I-95: Take Exit 28, Trapelo Road/Lincoln. Follow Trapelo Road approximately 2 1/2 miles until you reach a five-road intersection. Continue straight ahead onto Sandy Pond Road. The Museum is 1/2 mile on the right.
" From Mass Pike: Take I-95 North at the Weston Tolls and follow above directions.
" From I-93: Take I-95 South exit and follow above directions.
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