Sarah McClary - Artist in Residence / Exhibitions
Email: accexhibit@tntech.edu

Biography

"Cactus Bracelet"

"Spring Flower Brooches"

untitled necklace

"Young Frond Ring"

Sarah received her BFA in metals from the Appalachian Center for Craft in the fall of 2004. She creates jewelry inspired by plant life. Her work has been exhibited in juried and invitational shows around the country.

In 2003, Sarah recieved the Bacchanal Scholarship awarded by TTU / Appalachian Center for Craft; her work was selected as a finalist in the NICHE Student Awards in 2002 and 2003; and, her work is including in the upcoming book, "500 Bracelets" published by Lark Books.

While at the Craft Center, Sarah was active in the community, assisted in many summer workshops, and teaches her own metals workshops. She teaches in the educational outreach programs for elementary and high school students.

Artist Statement
My current body of work is directly influenced by my love of plants. It is about life, growth and change. I have a deep respect for nature and feel very connected to my natural surroundings.

Plants provide food and shelter for Earth's creatures; humanity depends on plants in countless ways - we eat them, burn them for fuel, make clothes and homes out of them. Plants are all around us, their shapes are unlimited and they are constantly changing.

I am a gardener and collector of house plants. I am attracted to plants because I enjoy watching them grow and change over time. From spring to fall plants go through many dramatic changes. I start plants from seed and watch them develop. I collect specimens of close observation. Separating small parts from the larger plant reveals tiny details that may have gone unnoticed. I am interested in the textures and structures I observe.

I translate what I see in nature into my work. Each piece focuses on a specific plant detail, some plants are exaggerated and some are subdued. While I am working on a piece I see it grow and change - and I watch with the same excitement that I have for watching plants grow.

--Sarah McClary