Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) Announces New Education Director

Eugene, OR, August 31, 2018 --(PR.com)-- SNAG is pleased to announce that noted metalsmith and arts educator, Kristin Mitsu Shiga will join its staff as Education Director. Kristin will be responsible for planning and managing SNAG’s conferences and educational initiatives. She has held a variety of positions in the nonprofit arts sector, including Gallery Director at the Museum of Contemporary Craft, Extension Program Director at the Oregon College of Art & Craft, Program Director at the Donkey Mill Art Center, and Chair of the Board of Trustees for Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Kristin served as SNAG’s very first Conference Director from 2003-2006.

Kristin has taught classes and workshops in metalsmithing and enameling around the world since 1992 and established successful metalsmithing programs at art centers in Oregon, New York and Hawaii. As a maker, she is deeply inspired by her participation in various artist collaborations, including the biennial EMMA International Collaboration in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as well as CollaboratioNZ in Whangarei, New Zealand and the Hawaii Artist Collaboration in Holualoa, Hawaii. Her work is featured in numerous publications, including Art Jewelry Today, The Art of Enameling and several of Lark Books’ 500 Series. She has shown her work internationally and is included in notable collections, such as the Kamm Artful Teapot collection and the Permanent Collection of the White House. You can learn more about her work as a maker from this Oregon Art Beat segment.

SNAG Executive Director Gwynne Rukenbrod Smith says, “Kristin brings with her a wealth of experience and skills that will allow SNAG to continue and grow our array of educational initiatives while developing new programs. As a maker, she truly understands the needs of our members and her reputation as both a teacher and artist are unparalleled. Her experience planning conferences, creating professional practices classes for artists, and developing deep and meaningful connections throughout the general craft community will truly help SNAG advance our mission and serve our members. We are very excited to welcome Kristin back to SNAG!”

SNAG is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance jewelry and metalsmithing by inspiring creativity, encouraging education, and fostering community. SNAG envisions a diverse jewelry and metals community engaging in thoughtful conversation and critical discourse while preserving tradition and embracing innovation. SNAG publishes the award-winning Metalsmith and Metalsmith Tech magazines, hosts conferences, exhibitions, professional development education, and a wide range of programming to elevate and promote the work and careers of its members. SNAG is online at http://www.snagmetalsmith.org