In 2021 RJM traveled up to Boston to collaborate with students and faculty from Massachusetts School of Art and Design, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, and North Bennet Street School as well as regional professional jewelers. The local community responded to our call-to-action donation drive, giving 72 individual donations comprised of bags of unwanted jewelry! Rings, broken earrings, signets, precious heirloom jewelry, and costume jewelry were repurposed into more than 146 innovative Madeover works. Even though project Co-directors, Susie Ganch and Kathleen Kennedy, couldn't attend in person due to the pandemic, virtual zoom sessions bridged the gap providing a silver lining during this difficult period. Art Jewelry Forum hosted a live session where our collaborators could highlight Madeover jewelry and tell stories about their experiences. Additionally, students learned about the history of costume jewelry from Emily Stoehrer, the Rita J. Kaplan, and Susan B. Kaplan Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The culminating exhibition took place in the gallery of North Bennett Street School. Below is a quote from Sarah Turner, Director of North Bennett Street School.  We believe it sums up the project perfectly!

 

Participating Institutions

Massachusetts School of Art and Design
School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University
North Bennet Street School

“RJM Boston gave us a great opportunity to collaborate with our colleagues at other Schools, connect to our jewelry community, and to be part of a project that truly valued all areas of expertise, across the range of the jewelry field.  This collaboration and exposure was so good for students - giving them a view across a dynamic and varied field.”

-Sarah Turner, Director of North Bennet Street School