2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHS ANNUAL REPORT 2019
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Goals
Look at our past and present, and decide how we can
positively impact the future of the industry. Connect
our community to each other and to the resources
they need to be successful. Achieve and maintain
financial security.
We Are:
The Community for Responsible Jewelry
Our Mission:
Inspiring responsible jewelry practices through
education, connection, and action.
Our Vision:
We envision a jewelry industry where a beautiful
product does not bear a human or environmental toll.
Our Purpose:
Ethical Metalsmiths educates and connects caring
jewelers, buyers, and the global community; inspiring
respect, dignity, and responsibility throughout the
entire supply chain.
2019
Annual Report
2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHS ANNUAL REPORT 2019
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2 0 1 9 E x e c u t i v e B o a r d o f
D i r e c t o r s
Alexandra Hart, President
Monica Stephenson, VP President
Elect
Jennifer Dawes, VP
Jay Moncada, Treasurer
Wendy Woldenberg, Secretary
2 0 1 9 G e n e r a l B o a r d o f
D i r e c t o r s
Anna Bario
Christina Malle
Robin Gambhir
Susan Crow
Susan Wheeler Geraghty
Susie Ganch
Lucy Louise Derickson
2 0 1 9 A d v i s o r y C o u n c i l
Andrea Hill
Toby Pomeroy
Elizabeth Shaw
Christina Miller
Cristina Villegas
David Crump
Lisa Koeningsberg
Yianni Melas
Eric Braunwart
Brandee Dallow
Estelle Levin-Nally
Jessica Hudson
Kathleen Kennedy
Julia Popovich
Joanne Lebert
Board of Directors, Advisory Council and Team Members
Contact
Ethical Metalsmiths New York
Office: 165 Delaware Ave.
Andes, NY, 13731
276-790-7623
mail@ethicalmetalsmiths.org
https://ethicalmetalsmiths.org
Contact:
Ethical Metalsmiths
PO Box 156
College Corner, OH 45003
1-619-286-9278
https://ethicalmetalsmiths.org
mail@ethicalmetalsmiths.org
2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHS ANNUAL REPORT 2019
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In 2019, the 3rd year of my service
as president, the ongoing
momentum and growth of EM
reflects the incredible team which
makes up this organization’s all-
volunteer leadership.
During this time, working from the
updated mission, vision and
purpose, we were able to
concentrate our efforts and stand on
our renewed foundation. My hope
to empower committees leadership
and effectiveness has been
rewarding to watch as our initiatives
grow and thrive while supporting our
mission. The strategizing regularly
with the Executive committee has
been an effective way to keep the
long term mission of the
organization on track, while still
supporting shorter term committee
efforts. And this year we were invited
to apply and were accepted to the
Jewelry Leadership Forum, made up
of the presidents and executive
directors of many Jewelry Industry
Membership organizations. JLF was
established to look for
collaborations, to avoid duplications,
and share opportunities. We are
proud to have a “seat at the table”
with our industry’s leaders.
Here are a few
highlights you will
find in this report:
Our website now represents the
organization as a whole and all
its foci. Even with a great deal of
autonomy for distinct initiatives
such as our Radical Jewelry
Makeover program, we are now
more visually united and are
unifying our brand development.
The site is not only highly
contemporary and “fresh,” it
serves now more and more as a
resource. For example the
member profiles including
Designers and Suppliers are
launched with Self Assessments
which help put the ethical
decision making into the hands
of the viewer and visitor to the
site. Our Events Calendar
serves to share not only
members’ happenings, but also
important Responsible Jewelry
Industry info and events.
Our membership continues to
grow and due to the strength of
EM’s community based support,
as well as the increasing
concern for responsible
practices, and we launched the
Jewelers Self Assessment as
part of our professional
membership.
The Education committee, made
up of EM Students and RJM
reports incredible successes and
growth: EM Students continue
to drive very international
membership for their online
exhibition opportunities, for still a
bargain membership rate.
Colleges, universities and craft
centers continue to request to
host new RJM programs.
Responsible Sourcing
Committee launched the vetted
Supplier Members on our
website, after several years
developing a rigorous self
assessment process and
protocols.
Better Without Mercury
continues to raise funds for
Mercury Mitigation in Columbia
under the fiscal sponsorship by
EM
My mission throughout my term has
been to help EM blossom as a non-
profit organization; to build long-
term goals, and to decentralize
leadership as we grow in numbers-
accessing the collective brilliance of
all involved. The Committees
expertise IS the work of EM, and
these committees have grown and
built the sustainable foundation for
the organization.
None of this could have been
achieved without this thoroughly
committed and effective board,
advisors, and volunteers involved,
and I am honored and grateful to
work with these amazing people!
Alexandra Hart
President of Ethical Metalsmiths
President’s Letter
2 0 1 9 | A l e x a n d r a H a r t
Photo: Peden & Munk
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We decided to begin where our members are.
We developed the Jeweler Self-Assessment to
help those special people who make jewelry
figure out where they currently lie on the
continuum of sustainability. From that starting
point, they can use the data to help improve in
the following eight areas of their practice:
1. Commitment to achieving sustainability in
jewelry design.
2. Education in the area of sustainable
practice.
3. Environmental Impact of design and
packaging.
4. Sourcing of materials such as metal, colored
gemstones, diamonds, components, and
findings.
5. Manufacturing processes.
6. Hiring practices and employee work
environment.
7. Health and Safety.
8. Ongoing practices.
Each year, our jewelry designer members will
take this self-assessment, and track their
progress toward sustainability in their practice.
They will see their scores, but no one else will.
Having this valuable, objective data will help
them move forward on the journey toward
sustainability.
Jeweler Self-Assessment
2 0 1 9 | W e n d y W o l d e n b e r g
Helping designers create
jewelry in a sustainable
manner is a major goal for
Ethical Metalsmiths.
But where do we begin?
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In the summer 2019 dry season in
Colombia, the miners of La
Fortaleza, under the leadership of
Rolberto Alvarez, safely moved 400
tons of mercury-contaminated soils
to a long-term storage area on the
association’s mining concession
away from the Honda River. This
soil will be stored indefinitely or until
technology evolves to improve
reprocessing of contaminated soil. It
was donations, self-funding, and
volunteering that made this
groundbreaking feat possible.
During normal times of mine
operation, the miners of Gualconda
do not have the resources to invest
in the changes they’d like to
achieve, making this a major
accomplishment.
In late 2019 the work continued.
The soil that was moved was
replaced with clean soil. The miners
are cultivating native and decorative
plants to restore the area. They
have plans for water management,
pond development and the work on
the 1,000 meter nature trail will
connect all areas of the mine site.
The BIG BOLD VISION is to make
Gualconda a teaching mine where
miners from Colombia and beyond
can learn responsible gold mining.
For Rolberto, responsible mining
means that select agricultural
activities coexist with well managed
small-scale gold mining and that no
gold is mined with mercury. As the
Phase II Restoration continues to
evolve, we’ll keep you updated.
Consider donating. Your gift goes a
long way.
Better Without Mercury
2 0 1 9 | C h r i s t i n a M i l l e r
Photo: After
Photo: Before
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Wow, 2019 flew by and we are
happy to say not only did we
launch our member trade show and
trunk show Event calendar, as
promised, but we developed new
membership plans for the 2020
launch.
If you are a member, then you
already know we launched our
designer and supplier self
assessments in 2019. Our new
members have embraced taking
the assessment and in the process
learned a few new things about
improving their studio practices.
Did you know that our
Jewelry members are
featured on the EM
landing page as well as
within the EM Jewelry
section on our website?
Many members have taken the
opportunity to have us build a page
for their business on our site,
showcasing their work and
providing connections. According
to our Google analytics we have
connected our readers with our
members.
For the future we have big plans: in
2020, keep an eye out for the debut
of the EM Blog, covering exciting
news and events regarding
education, people, global
standards, international initiatives,
mining, industry professionals and
more!
Interested in joining - please do!
Kathleen Lynagh House
Advisory Council Member
WEB, BLOG & Brand Chair
Website Report
2 0 1 9 | K a t h l e e n L y n a g h H o u s e
POPULAR VIEW - CHECK OUT WHAT OUR VISITORS WANT TO SEE.
SEARCH RESULTS SHOWING HOW OUR USERS FIND OUR WEBSITE
AND CONNECT WITH ETHICAL METALSMITHS
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We continued to hone our Colored Gemstone Supplier
Self Assessment, trying to create an inclusive document
that would benefit our Designer Members, and offer
service to our Supplier Members, visible to the public on
the website.
With the other three Supplier Self-Assessments in the
wings, (Diamonds, Metals, and Findings), we felt it was
important to re-work the Colored Gemstone Supplier Self
Assessment until it was of the caliber we thought
necessary so that it could be used as a model for the next
three assessments.
Highlights of 2019:
Susan Wheeler, jewelry designer and founder of the
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, Dana
Bronfman, Fine Jewelry Designer, and Eric
Braunwart owner of Columbia Gemhouse joined our
committee.
As a Committee, we continued to study existing
sourcing initiatives in the jewelry industry.
The need became apparent to develop a
responsible sourcing initiative for EM members that
would give them information and knowledge on how
to source their materials.
The RSC committee further developed their
understanding that the intricate connectivity
between suppliers, miners, cutters and the buyers is
an ongoing process of learning and change.
In the beginning of 2019 the Supplier Self
Assessment was our developing tool that we
believed was congruent with our mission of
connecting EM Members with Suppliers to promote
education and change in the jewelry supply chains.
With more in-depth study, in the last part of 2019,
we became aware that the word trust is very
important and needs to be further studied and
defined. Trust, and is based on data, evidence,
information which informs 'truths', which inform
trust. Trust is based on data, evidence and
information which informs 'truths', which inform
trust.
2020 has further opened our eyes to the global
situation of all stockholders in our supply chains to
assist us in meeting the needs of EM’s members.
Responsible Sourcing Committee
2 0 1 9 | Te a m M e m b e r s :
S u s a n C ro w C h a i r, M o n i c a S t e p h e n s e n , R o b i n G a m b h i r, J a re d A m a d e o H o l s t e i n , J e s s i c a
H u d s o n , A d e l C h e f r i d i , S u s a n W h e e l e r, E r i c B r a u n w a r t a n d E s t e l l e L e v i n
“2019 was a roll-up-your-sleeves working year for the
Responsible Sourcing Committee”
“The World Bank has concluded
that the Sustainable
Development Goals cannot be
achieved without the positive
engagements of Artisanal Small
Scale Mining. We need to
ensure that we are not an
obstacle to the achievement of
the SDGs in our standards, but
rather we are the catalyst for
positive change within the ASM
communities”.
– Susan Wheeler 2019
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A variety of projects fall under the
umbrella of the Education
Committee including Radical
Jewelry Makeover, the So Fresh +
So Clean Student Exhibition, the
EM Emerging Artist Award, and the
Criticalsmiths Research Series.
Membership levels managed and
administered by the Education
Committee include Students,
Institutions, and Educators. Funds
collected from these memberships
fall under the Education
Committee’s budget plan (with 12%
dedicated to the EM general fund).
EM Student Memberships
and Profiles:
Take a look at the EM Students of
2019!
Student profiles can be found on the
EM students home page,
showcasing our new and returning
student members. We have 23 new
schools represented in our student
population this year. Our reach is
growing! Every student member also
receives a welcome shout out on the
EMstudents instagram page.
Conference
Representation
Andy Lowrie and Sarah Parker (EM
Students Chapter-Virginia
Commonwealth University)
presented So Fresh + So Clean
2019 to the attendees of the 2nd
Annual Chicago Responsible
Jewelry Conference in October. The
work was very well received by
conference attendees. Additionally,
EM students had a table in the
Educators Room at the Society of
North American Goldsmiths
conference in May. Lastly, in
November, EM Students and RJM
were represented at the Education
Resource room, during the
sustainability event connected with
NYCJW.
Education Committee
Projects 2019:
Criticalsmiths Research
Series
The inaugural CriticalSmiths
research team at Queensland
College of Art, Australia has begun
to research flux toxicity, and will be
sharing their findings in the form of a
poster soon. The poster will be sent
to schools all over the world. There
has been interest from other schools
and student groups to launch
additional research projects.
Learn more about CriticalSmiths
here.
So Fresh + So Clean 2019
Student Exhibition and Emerging
Artist Award
Eighty two students applied to the
6th annual online exhibition, So
Fresh + So Clean 2019, juried by the
EM Students chapter at Virginia
Commonwealth University The
online exhibition and award winners
can be found here.
Our 2019 guest juror was Sarah
Rachel Brown, the host of the
Perceived Value podcast. EM
Student facilitator Lucy Derickson,
was interviewed on the podcast to
help promote the show. Listen here.
Annual sponsors of So Fresh + So
Clean include Richline group ($3,000
+ design work), Rio Grande ($750,
and $500 in gift certificates), No
Dirty Gold ($250).
Education Committee 2019
T h e E d u c a t i o n C o m m i t t e e i s S u s i e G a n c h , E l i z a b e t h S h a w ,
K a t h l e e n K e n n e d y , a n d L u c y D e r i c k s o n ( c h a i r )
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Radical Jewelry
Makeover
Since 2007, Radical Jewelry
Makeover (RJM) has been an
educational outreach program of
Ethical Metalsmiths that celebrates
collaboration, innovation and
creativity. It is an international
‘mining’ and recycling project.
Volunteer “miners” dig out and
donate their old jewelry to be
remade by jewelers working together
as refiners and designers. RJM
offers alternatives to mainstream
consumer culture with madeover
jewelry that is 100% recycled and
considerate of its future contribution
to a circular supply chain. It
challenges cultural practices
contributing to environmental
devastation while highlighting the
meaningful narratives and impulses
that drive us to make and wear
jewelry. RJM changes habits,
changes an industry, and inspires
people to make different decisions
about what they wear.
Radical Jewelry Makeover is co-
directed by Susie Ganch (BoD,
education committee) and Kathleen
Kennedy (BoA, education
committee).
RJM Artist Project:
In 2014, a small group of artists from
across the country were invited to
dive more deeply into the
motivations and questions of
Radical Jewelry Makeover. These
artists, who were all past
participants of RJM, were asked to
create a series of works using
donated jewelry left over from
previous donation drives. In 2019,
RJM invited 7 new artists to join the
project: Erica Bello, Jim Charles,
Yevgeniya Kaganovich, Taylor
Zarkades King, Chelsea Nanfelt-
Rowe, Jina Seo, and April Wood. All
of the artists and their work can be
found on the RJM website here:
https://
radicaljewelrymakeover.squaresp
ace.com/the-artist-project.
RJM continues to find exhibition
venues to feature this dynamic and
vital work which travels across the
country.
Sparkle Plenty XIV –
Exhibition at Quirk Gallery
The RJM Artist Project was invited
to create a series of new work for
Quirk Gallery’s annual fall exhibition,
Sparkle Plenty XIV, in Richmond,
VA. Curated by Susie Ganch and
Kathleen Kennedy, the exhibition
included: Curtis Arima, Julia Barello,
Erica Bello, Angela Bubash, Raïssa
Bump, Melissa Cameron, Jim
Charles, Kat Cole, Gabriel Craig and
Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM)
2 0 1 9 | A n n u a l R e p o r t
S u s i e G a n c h a n d K a t h l e e n K e n n e d y :
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Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM)
R J M - S p a r k l e P l e n t y F i n i s h e d W o r k
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Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM)
R J M - S p a r k l e P l e n t y F i n i s h e d W o r k
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Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM)
R J M - c o n t i n u e d
Amy Weiks, Jack da Silva, Marilyn
da Silva, Sarah Holden, Yevgeniya
Kaganovich, Kathleen Kennedy,
Taylor Zarkades King, Deborah
Lozier, Chelsea Nanfelt-Rowe, Caitie
Sellers, Jina Seo, Stephanie
Voegele, Adam Whitney, and April
Wood.
RJM negotiates contracts between
the gallery, the artist, and the project
to reflect a 33/33/33% split of
proceeds. For this exhibition, sales
totaled $1785.00 resulting in
$595.00 profits for RJM.
Striking Gold – Exhibition at
Fuller Craft Museum
RJM Artist Project members Curtis
Arima and Adam Whitney had work
featured in Striking Gold: Fuller at
50, an exhibition celebrating the
50th anniversary of the Fuller
Museum in Brockton, MA. This
invitational project curated by Beth
McLaughlin and Suzanne Ramljack
explored the storied traditions,
contemporary interpretations, skillful
applications, and conceptual rigor of
gold as an artistic material. It also
investigated the multitude of
cultural, material, and sociopolitical
associations of this material. A
catalogue was produced which you
can find here: https://issuu.com/
fullercraftmuseum/docs/
sgcatalogueforemail
RJM Satellite Projects
ECU Material Topics
Symposium and
Competition
In January 2019, Susie Ganch was
keynote speaker at East Carolina
University’s annual Material Topics
Symposium. The symposium topic
was “State of Adornment: Subject to
Change.” In her presentation, Susie
discussed the inextricable link
between the future health of the
jewelry field and the materials that
are sourced to make our work.
Using her own studio practice and
RJM as examples, she talked about
the complicated path artists take
when balancing ethical and
conceptual considerations in the
studio.
During breakout sessions after her
presentation, Susie discussed RJM’s
technical philosophy and introduced
a design competition for
participants. Winners included
Chelsea Nanfelt-Rowe, Hosanna
Rubio, and Kathryn Osgood. Each
artist received a $100 gift certificate
to Rio Grande.
Three artists were recognized with
an honorable mention award: Jera
Lodge, Krissie Moore, and Mary Kay
Palazzo.
Earth Day 2019
RJM partnered with Amazon Aid, a
nonprofit working to protect the
Amazon Rain Forest, for an Earth
Day event held at Fort A.P. Hill in
central Virginia. 1500 students from
area schools attended this one day
event.
RJM at Central Virginia
Middle Schools
In May 2019 RJM collaborated with
middle school art teacher Jill Rich,
and her students at
Brookland Middle School
and Elko Middle School in
central Virginia for a mini
RJM event. Sixth - eighth
grade students researched
the effects that open pit
mining and fast fashion have
on industry workers and the
environment. Students used
RJM jewelry donations and
learned simple cold
connections to design and
create new madeover
pieces.
Interviews and Publicity
Perceived Value Podcast
Perceived Value (PV) host Sarah
Rachel Brown interviewed Susie
Ganch and Kathleen Kennedy in
May. PV is a podcast broaching the
subject of value with artists and has
an international following of
listeners. Susie and Kathleen
discussed various facets of RJM in
each of their podcasts: episode 42,
Teach Me Always: Susie Ganch of
Radical Jewelry Makeover, and
episode 45, I Say Yes, That’s What
You Do: Kathleen Kennedy. The
episodes may be found here:
https://
www.perceivedvaluepodcast.com/
home/2019/9/6/it-never-feels-
enough-susie-ganch-of-radical-
jewelry-makeover
https://
www.perceivedvaluepodcast.com/
home/2019/12/8/i-say-yes-thats-
what-you-do-kathleen-kennedy
Articles written about RJM in
2019:
Art Education Journal Article by
Christine Woywod (RJM Wisconsin
Participant)
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/
abs/
10.1080/00043125.2019.1621627?
needAccess=true&journalCode=uare
20)
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Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM)
R J M - c o n t i n u e d
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Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM)
R J M - c o n t i n u e d
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Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM)
R J M - c o n t i n u e d
New York City Jewelry Week
(NYCJW) 2019
On Friday November 22nd, 2019
RJM participated in NYCJW’s first
annual Full Circle at the Fashion
Institute of Technology. Full Circle
was a one-day event designed to
give jewelers an overview of many of
the challenges that face the jewelry
industry regarding sustainability.
The event consisted of lectures, a
film screening of the documentary
“Rivers of Gold”, and a Resource
Room that provided visitors with
hands-on education and solutions to
some of these topics. Kathleen
Kennedy was joined by independent
curator Maggie Smith at the RJM
booth in the Education Resource
Room. More information on the
event may be found here: https://
nycjewelryweek.com/full-circle/
Current and Future RJM
Installments
RJM XV: South Florida
In 2019 Lighthouse ArtCenter
education director Maria Tritico
invited RJM to come to Tequesta,
Florida and work with students in
her community on an RJM project
installment. Together we invited the
Armory Art Center and Resource
Depot (West Palm Beach, FL) to
create a larger, inclusive South
Florida Project installment.
Lighthouse ArtCenter, Armory Art
Center, and Resource Depot
became institutional members of
Ethical Metalsmiths. Maria Tritico,
Lisa Johnson, Chelsea Odom, and
Alicia Boswell utilized the RJM
toolkit and led the planning effort
throughout the course of 2019. The
South Florida Donation Drive began
in the Fall 2019. The project is
planned to kick off in early 2020.
The Lighthouse ArtCenter also
hosted an RJM exhibition in
advance of the donation drive to
generate excitement for the project.
Madeover work from RJM XIII:
Baltimore, RJM XIV:Wisconsin, and
the satellite RJM ECU were
exhibited.
Proceeds from this exhibition
brought $265.00 to the project.
Future Installments: RJM
XVI, RJM XVII, RJM XVIII!
Curtis Arima, Associate Professor at
California College of the Arts (and
RJM Artist Project member) and
Emily Cobb, Assistant Professor at
Humboldt State University, initiated
planning for an RJM installment in
Northern California tentatively
scheduled for Spring 2021.
Lynn Batchelder, Assistant
Professor, and Myra Mimlitsch-Gray,
professor, from SUNY New Paltz
initiated plans for an installment
scheduled in the 2021-22 school
year.
Jina Seo, Assistant Professor (and
RJM Artist Project member), is ready
to plan an RJM installment with the
program she leads at Missouri State
University. This collaborative will
reach out to partners in the region
including Kansas University.
RJM Team update:
We rely heavily on the generous help
from volunteers and a few paid staff
who are paid through proceeds from
sales of madeover jewelry.
RJM Intern:
In 2019, Radical Jewelry Makeover
hired Dawoon Jeong as a paid
apprentice. Dawoon, a recent BFA
graduate from Virginia
Commonwealth University in
Richmond, VA, helped Co-Directors
Susie Ganch and Kathleen Kennedy
with data entry, organizing leftover-
unused materials, and
photographing finished madeover
jewelry. Much of Dawoon’s hard
work can be seen on the RJM
website (https://
www.radicaljewelrymakeover.org).
RJM website designer/
consultant:
Cheena Marie Lo continues to serve
as the RJM web designer, building
and updating the website.
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Treasurer’s Reports
2 0 1 9 | J a y M o n c a d a , T r e a s u r e r , B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s
During 2019 we have seen a growing and sustaining community in our membership
numbers and it continues to be an important revenue stream for the org. We are proud
and excited to see the continued success of Better Without Mercury as their fiscal
sponsor.
Our sustained financial health and informed budgets has helped the org formulate the
much anticipated hiring of an Executive Director, while securing budgets in web
development and marketing to continue to foster the org’s growth. Our strong liquidity
position also offers for the addition of new programs and initiatives that align with the
org’s mission.
Fiscal Year 2019
2019
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Treasurer’s Reports
T r e a s u r e r ’ s r e p o r t - c o n t i n u e d
2019
Operating Income FY 2019
Individuals 8,852
Membership Revenue 20,116
Major Donors & Grants 8,542
Corporate Sponsors 4,029
RJM Sales 98
Special Program Fundraising 14,112
Total gross income 54,749
Operating Expense
Administration & Conference Expenses 3,066
Program Grants & Assistance 12,000
Program Service Expenses 8,426
Development 3,500
Total expenses 26,992
Net Income 27,757
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Annual Retreat
S e a t t l e , A u g u s t 1 - 3 , 2 0 1 9 W e n d y W o l d e n b e r g
It is a glorious thing to gather
such passionate supporters of
the responsible jewelry
movement in one room together.
The Ethical Metalsmiths annual
Board retreat was an example of
our mission statement brought to
life - education, connection, and
action.
On the eve before the retreat,
Anza Gems sponsored a dinner
and cocktail party for Ethical
Metalsmiths, Women’s Jewelry
Organization, and Seattle Metals
Guild. Then, the Board and
Advisors spent the next two days
digging into a packed agenda.
You know the conversations are
deep, intense, and meaningful
when innocent bystanders (the
friend who quietly assembled our
meals in the next room) tells you
after the fact that they had no idea
the grand issues we are working to
solve as an organization. Success!
Besides the usual procedural issues
we sorted out (adopting new by-
laws, defining our board structure,
making and approving motions), we
made some important decisions
which will drive Ethical Metalsmiths
into the foreseeable future.
The retreat participants embarked in
extensive discussions about Ethical
Metalsmiths increasing its presence
at the larger jewelry shows (Tucson,
Las Vegas, New York, etc). Through
branded booths, showcases,
signage, and representation, we
decided to discuss the possibilities
with show organizers. This led to a
wonderful presence at NYC Jewelry
Week, and a plan for the 2020 JCK
Vegas Show. Unfortunately, that was
cancelled due to Covid-19.
Another key takeaway from the
annual retreat was the decision to
apply to become a member of the
Jewelry Leadership Forum.
Comprised of the main
organizations in the
Jewelry sector, the time
has come for Ethical
Metalsmiths to take a seat
at the table. Monica
Stephenson as President
Elect, and Alexandra Hart
as President, are our
Ethical Metalsmiths
representatives, and have
been contributing our
message of sustainability
to the collaborative
discussions. since.
Drumroll please! Biggest
takeaway from the annual
retreat to follow. Ethical
Metalsmiths has been
operating without any paid
positions for over two
years. At this annual
retreat, we made the
decision to hire a new
executive director. Not just any
executive director, but one who
came from selflessly serving the
Board of Directors since its
inception. Her institutional
knowledge, enthusiasm, and
ability to rally people to action
made her the perfect selection.
We decided to hire Alexandra
Hart as our new Executive
Director (effective mid-2020).
The 2.5 days of the retreat were
action-packed and intense! I
could have never predicted at
the beginning that we would
come out with plans to hire a
new ED, and especially not one
as qualified as Alexandra. On a
personal note, I am honored to
serve with such a courageous,
dedicated group of people.
2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHS ANNUAL REPORT 2019
19
Student/Supporter
($0-150)
Total: 107
Betsy Drake Bierkan
Yichen Guan
Mathilde Tétreault
Mary Jarvis
Tracey Carswell
Anna Doll
Christine Charles-Ventoux
Bridget Parlato
Elisabeth Arzt
Yajing Yan
Emily Soderberg
Xin Xu
Megan Cochran
Sarah McFadden
Shawna Hipple
Taylor Dunivan
Maya Rose Weiss
Ann Broich
Heather McBryar
John Parkins
Krystal Smith
Sadie Fenley
Zheng Zeng
Kelly Temple
Ruizhi Li
Lena Binnington
Kattie Jones
Bryan Treakle
Erin Underhill
Gina Denton
Xin Guan
Yao Huang
Morgan Lloyd
Cessna Manalili
Michael Nashef
Cierra Redding
Johanna Typaldos
Mackenzie Wells
Scott Brackett
Sarah Brown
Weixuan Huang
Jung Ki Min
Xiangyin Shi
Mizuki Tochigi
Nina van Duijnhoven
Tracy Welling
Saydee Chandler
Sergio Estrada
Elizabeth Walton
Steve Alexis
Lauren Eckert
Michael Gomez
A Groves
Militsa Milenkova
Sarah Murphy
Diba Niazi
Ellen Sisti
Talia Tanaka
Helen Wyatt
Maddison Bygrave
Shana Cave
Suyu Chen
Yu Chi Chien
Nicholas DeLeone
Rachel Dunn
Shaolinyi Fan
Ashley Fisher
Alexandra Gasparis
Dinu Gavris
Erica Hoosic
Cathryn Jasterzbski
Dawoon Jeong
Mariyn Koch
Malissa Kuznicki
Kim Le
Xun Liu
Jennifer Marcson
Max Meier
Chelsea Nanfelt
Farzaneh Nozari
Adwowa Obeng
Chase Shotton
Siqiong Wen
Dongyi Wu
Zihan Yang
Yingqi Zhao
Bettina Van Hulle
Miao He
Renee Ricci
Gretchen Schreiber
Chiieng Chan
Chloe Pflug
Mary Kay Palazzo
Jiayin Wang
Chelsea Chapman
Vanessa Carrington
Fargol Gholamrezazadeh
Leticia Ramirez
Jamie Pelusi
Vanessa Yang Yung
Hewan Zewdi
Stephanie Calvert
Michele Chaboudy
Cecilia Echeverri
Ana Sierra
Designer
($151-300)
Total: 41
Emily Cobb
Lisa Johnson
Jennifer O'Brien
Christina Malle
Irene Weinz
Brandelyn Rosenberg
Daniel Juzwiak
Rebecca Grady
Amanda Buchanan
Karin Jacobson
Nancy Klotz
Catherine Claus
Patty Lauritzen
Margaret Skemp
Jessica Hudson
Julia Popovich
Jenny Park
Kate Maller
Sophie Hughes
Sharon Jewelry
Chad VErhof
Jana Brevick
Valerie Kasinskas
Todd Pownell
Matthew Baxter
Shaya Durbin
Noor Shamma
Kimberly Haisch
Nicole Grandics
Alexandra Hart
Danielle Barbe
Ana Brazaityte
Jane Bartel
Donna Bilak
Myriam Elie
Alisa Thorp
Alicia Arkwright
Judy Geib
Susan Harbourt
Mariele Williams
Wing Yau
Melanie Casey
Emily Johnson
Retailer/Supplier
($500+)
Total: 6
Ben Manning
Roya Jabbar
Jamie Hollier
Deborah Spencer
Emily Phillippy
Laurel Hilton
Ethical Metalsmiths Donors and Members
2 0 1 9 E M D o n o r s / M e m b e r s To t a l : 1 5 4
Thank you for your
strong belief in our
shared mission

EM-Annual+Report+2019-original.pdf------

  • 1.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 1 Goals Look at our past and present, and decide how we can positively impact the future of the industry. Connect our community to each other and to the resources they need to be successful. Achieve and maintain financial security. We Are: The Community for Responsible Jewelry Our Mission: Inspiring responsible jewelry practices through education, connection, and action. Our Vision: We envision a jewelry industry where a beautiful product does not bear a human or environmental toll. Our Purpose: Ethical Metalsmiths educates and connects caring jewelers, buyers, and the global community; inspiring respect, dignity, and responsibility throughout the entire supply chain. 2019 Annual Report
  • 2.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 2 2 0 1 9 E x e c u t i v e B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s Alexandra Hart, President Monica Stephenson, VP President Elect Jennifer Dawes, VP Jay Moncada, Treasurer Wendy Woldenberg, Secretary 2 0 1 9 G e n e r a l B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s Anna Bario Christina Malle Robin Gambhir Susan Crow Susan Wheeler Geraghty Susie Ganch Lucy Louise Derickson 2 0 1 9 A d v i s o r y C o u n c i l Andrea Hill Toby Pomeroy Elizabeth Shaw Christina Miller Cristina Villegas David Crump Lisa Koeningsberg Yianni Melas Eric Braunwart Brandee Dallow Estelle Levin-Nally Jessica Hudson Kathleen Kennedy Julia Popovich Joanne Lebert Board of Directors, Advisory Council and Team Members Contact Ethical Metalsmiths New York Office: 165 Delaware Ave. Andes, NY, 13731 276-790-7623 [email protected] https://ethicalmetalsmiths.org Contact: Ethical Metalsmiths PO Box 156 College Corner, OH 45003 1-619-286-9278 https://ethicalmetalsmiths.org [email protected]
  • 3.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 3 In 2019, the 3rd year of my service as president, the ongoing momentum and growth of EM reflects the incredible team which makes up this organization’s all- volunteer leadership. During this time, working from the updated mission, vision and purpose, we were able to concentrate our efforts and stand on our renewed foundation. My hope to empower committees leadership and effectiveness has been rewarding to watch as our initiatives grow and thrive while supporting our mission. The strategizing regularly with the Executive committee has been an effective way to keep the long term mission of the organization on track, while still supporting shorter term committee efforts. And this year we were invited to apply and were accepted to the Jewelry Leadership Forum, made up of the presidents and executive directors of many Jewelry Industry Membership organizations. JLF was established to look for collaborations, to avoid duplications, and share opportunities. We are proud to have a “seat at the table” with our industry’s leaders. Here are a few highlights you will find in this report: Our website now represents the organization as a whole and all its foci. Even with a great deal of autonomy for distinct initiatives such as our Radical Jewelry Makeover program, we are now more visually united and are unifying our brand development. The site is not only highly contemporary and “fresh,” it serves now more and more as a resource. For example the member profiles including Designers and Suppliers are launched with Self Assessments which help put the ethical decision making into the hands of the viewer and visitor to the site. Our Events Calendar serves to share not only members’ happenings, but also important Responsible Jewelry Industry info and events. Our membership continues to grow and due to the strength of EM’s community based support, as well as the increasing concern for responsible practices, and we launched the Jewelers Self Assessment as part of our professional membership. The Education committee, made up of EM Students and RJM reports incredible successes and growth: EM Students continue to drive very international membership for their online exhibition opportunities, for still a bargain membership rate. Colleges, universities and craft centers continue to request to host new RJM programs. Responsible Sourcing Committee launched the vetted Supplier Members on our website, after several years developing a rigorous self assessment process and protocols. Better Without Mercury continues to raise funds for Mercury Mitigation in Columbia under the fiscal sponsorship by EM My mission throughout my term has been to help EM blossom as a non- profit organization; to build long- term goals, and to decentralize leadership as we grow in numbers- accessing the collective brilliance of all involved. The Committees expertise IS the work of EM, and these committees have grown and built the sustainable foundation for the organization. None of this could have been achieved without this thoroughly committed and effective board, advisors, and volunteers involved, and I am honored and grateful to work with these amazing people! Alexandra Hart President of Ethical Metalsmiths President’s Letter 2 0 1 9 | A l e x a n d r a H a r t Photo: Peden & Munk
  • 4.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 4 We decided to begin where our members are. We developed the Jeweler Self-Assessment to help those special people who make jewelry figure out where they currently lie on the continuum of sustainability. From that starting point, they can use the data to help improve in the following eight areas of their practice: 1. Commitment to achieving sustainability in jewelry design. 2. Education in the area of sustainable practice. 3. Environmental Impact of design and packaging. 4. Sourcing of materials such as metal, colored gemstones, diamonds, components, and findings. 5. Manufacturing processes. 6. Hiring practices and employee work environment. 7. Health and Safety. 8. Ongoing practices. Each year, our jewelry designer members will take this self-assessment, and track their progress toward sustainability in their practice. They will see their scores, but no one else will. Having this valuable, objective data will help them move forward on the journey toward sustainability. Jeweler Self-Assessment 2 0 1 9 | W e n d y W o l d e n b e r g Helping designers create jewelry in a sustainable manner is a major goal for Ethical Metalsmiths. But where do we begin?
  • 5.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 5 In the summer 2019 dry season in Colombia, the miners of La Fortaleza, under the leadership of Rolberto Alvarez, safely moved 400 tons of mercury-contaminated soils to a long-term storage area on the association’s mining concession away from the Honda River. This soil will be stored indefinitely or until technology evolves to improve reprocessing of contaminated soil. It was donations, self-funding, and volunteering that made this groundbreaking feat possible. During normal times of mine operation, the miners of Gualconda do not have the resources to invest in the changes they’d like to achieve, making this a major accomplishment. In late 2019 the work continued. The soil that was moved was replaced with clean soil. The miners are cultivating native and decorative plants to restore the area. They have plans for water management, pond development and the work on the 1,000 meter nature trail will connect all areas of the mine site. The BIG BOLD VISION is to make Gualconda a teaching mine where miners from Colombia and beyond can learn responsible gold mining. For Rolberto, responsible mining means that select agricultural activities coexist with well managed small-scale gold mining and that no gold is mined with mercury. As the Phase II Restoration continues to evolve, we’ll keep you updated. Consider donating. Your gift goes a long way. Better Without Mercury 2 0 1 9 | C h r i s t i n a M i l l e r Photo: After Photo: Before
  • 6.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 6 Wow, 2019 flew by and we are happy to say not only did we launch our member trade show and trunk show Event calendar, as promised, but we developed new membership plans for the 2020 launch. If you are a member, then you already know we launched our designer and supplier self assessments in 2019. Our new members have embraced taking the assessment and in the process learned a few new things about improving their studio practices. Did you know that our Jewelry members are featured on the EM landing page as well as within the EM Jewelry section on our website? Many members have taken the opportunity to have us build a page for their business on our site, showcasing their work and providing connections. According to our Google analytics we have connected our readers with our members. For the future we have big plans: in 2020, keep an eye out for the debut of the EM Blog, covering exciting news and events regarding education, people, global standards, international initiatives, mining, industry professionals and more! Interested in joining - please do! Kathleen Lynagh House Advisory Council Member WEB, BLOG & Brand Chair Website Report 2 0 1 9 | K a t h l e e n L y n a g h H o u s e POPULAR VIEW - CHECK OUT WHAT OUR VISITORS WANT TO SEE. SEARCH RESULTS SHOWING HOW OUR USERS FIND OUR WEBSITE AND CONNECT WITH ETHICAL METALSMITHS
  • 7.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 7 We continued to hone our Colored Gemstone Supplier Self Assessment, trying to create an inclusive document that would benefit our Designer Members, and offer service to our Supplier Members, visible to the public on the website. With the other three Supplier Self-Assessments in the wings, (Diamonds, Metals, and Findings), we felt it was important to re-work the Colored Gemstone Supplier Self Assessment until it was of the caliber we thought necessary so that it could be used as a model for the next three assessments. Highlights of 2019: Susan Wheeler, jewelry designer and founder of the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, Dana Bronfman, Fine Jewelry Designer, and Eric Braunwart owner of Columbia Gemhouse joined our committee. As a Committee, we continued to study existing sourcing initiatives in the jewelry industry. The need became apparent to develop a responsible sourcing initiative for EM members that would give them information and knowledge on how to source their materials. The RSC committee further developed their understanding that the intricate connectivity between suppliers, miners, cutters and the buyers is an ongoing process of learning and change. In the beginning of 2019 the Supplier Self Assessment was our developing tool that we believed was congruent with our mission of connecting EM Members with Suppliers to promote education and change in the jewelry supply chains. With more in-depth study, in the last part of 2019, we became aware that the word trust is very important and needs to be further studied and defined. Trust, and is based on data, evidence, information which informs 'truths', which inform trust. Trust is based on data, evidence and information which informs 'truths', which inform trust. 2020 has further opened our eyes to the global situation of all stockholders in our supply chains to assist us in meeting the needs of EM’s members. Responsible Sourcing Committee 2 0 1 9 | Te a m M e m b e r s : S u s a n C ro w C h a i r, M o n i c a S t e p h e n s e n , R o b i n G a m b h i r, J a re d A m a d e o H o l s t e i n , J e s s i c a H u d s o n , A d e l C h e f r i d i , S u s a n W h e e l e r, E r i c B r a u n w a r t a n d E s t e l l e L e v i n “2019 was a roll-up-your-sleeves working year for the Responsible Sourcing Committee” “The World Bank has concluded that the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved without the positive engagements of Artisanal Small Scale Mining. We need to ensure that we are not an obstacle to the achievement of the SDGs in our standards, but rather we are the catalyst for positive change within the ASM communities”. – Susan Wheeler 2019
  • 8.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 8 A variety of projects fall under the umbrella of the Education Committee including Radical Jewelry Makeover, the So Fresh + So Clean Student Exhibition, the EM Emerging Artist Award, and the Criticalsmiths Research Series. Membership levels managed and administered by the Education Committee include Students, Institutions, and Educators. Funds collected from these memberships fall under the Education Committee’s budget plan (with 12% dedicated to the EM general fund). EM Student Memberships and Profiles: Take a look at the EM Students of 2019! Student profiles can be found on the EM students home page, showcasing our new and returning student members. We have 23 new schools represented in our student population this year. Our reach is growing! Every student member also receives a welcome shout out on the EMstudents instagram page. Conference Representation Andy Lowrie and Sarah Parker (EM Students Chapter-Virginia Commonwealth University) presented So Fresh + So Clean 2019 to the attendees of the 2nd Annual Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference in October. The work was very well received by conference attendees. Additionally, EM students had a table in the Educators Room at the Society of North American Goldsmiths conference in May. Lastly, in November, EM Students and RJM were represented at the Education Resource room, during the sustainability event connected with NYCJW. Education Committee Projects 2019: Criticalsmiths Research Series The inaugural CriticalSmiths research team at Queensland College of Art, Australia has begun to research flux toxicity, and will be sharing their findings in the form of a poster soon. The poster will be sent to schools all over the world. There has been interest from other schools and student groups to launch additional research projects. Learn more about CriticalSmiths here. So Fresh + So Clean 2019 Student Exhibition and Emerging Artist Award Eighty two students applied to the 6th annual online exhibition, So Fresh + So Clean 2019, juried by the EM Students chapter at Virginia Commonwealth University The online exhibition and award winners can be found here. Our 2019 guest juror was Sarah Rachel Brown, the host of the Perceived Value podcast. EM Student facilitator Lucy Derickson, was interviewed on the podcast to help promote the show. Listen here. Annual sponsors of So Fresh + So Clean include Richline group ($3,000 + design work), Rio Grande ($750, and $500 in gift certificates), No Dirty Gold ($250). Education Committee 2019 T h e E d u c a t i o n C o m m i t t e e i s S u s i e G a n c h , E l i z a b e t h S h a w , K a t h l e e n K e n n e d y , a n d L u c y D e r i c k s o n ( c h a i r )
  • 9.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 9 Radical Jewelry Makeover Since 2007, Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) has been an educational outreach program of Ethical Metalsmiths that celebrates collaboration, innovation and creativity. It is an international ‘mining’ and recycling project. Volunteer “miners” dig out and donate their old jewelry to be remade by jewelers working together as refiners and designers. RJM offers alternatives to mainstream consumer culture with madeover jewelry that is 100% recycled and considerate of its future contribution to a circular supply chain. It challenges cultural practices contributing to environmental devastation while highlighting the meaningful narratives and impulses that drive us to make and wear jewelry. RJM changes habits, changes an industry, and inspires people to make different decisions about what they wear. Radical Jewelry Makeover is co- directed by Susie Ganch (BoD, education committee) and Kathleen Kennedy (BoA, education committee). RJM Artist Project: In 2014, a small group of artists from across the country were invited to dive more deeply into the motivations and questions of Radical Jewelry Makeover. These artists, who were all past participants of RJM, were asked to create a series of works using donated jewelry left over from previous donation drives. In 2019, RJM invited 7 new artists to join the project: Erica Bello, Jim Charles, Yevgeniya Kaganovich, Taylor Zarkades King, Chelsea Nanfelt- Rowe, Jina Seo, and April Wood. All of the artists and their work can be found on the RJM website here: https:// radicaljewelrymakeover.squaresp ace.com/the-artist-project. RJM continues to find exhibition venues to feature this dynamic and vital work which travels across the country. Sparkle Plenty XIV – Exhibition at Quirk Gallery The RJM Artist Project was invited to create a series of new work for Quirk Gallery’s annual fall exhibition, Sparkle Plenty XIV, in Richmond, VA. Curated by Susie Ganch and Kathleen Kennedy, the exhibition included: Curtis Arima, Julia Barello, Erica Bello, Angela Bubash, Raïssa Bump, Melissa Cameron, Jim Charles, Kat Cole, Gabriel Craig and Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) 2 0 1 9 | A n n u a l R e p o r t S u s i e G a n c h a n d K a t h l e e n K e n n e d y :
  • 10.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 10 Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) R J M - S p a r k l e P l e n t y F i n i s h e d W o r k
  • 11.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 11 Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) R J M - S p a r k l e P l e n t y F i n i s h e d W o r k
  • 12.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 12 Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) R J M - c o n t i n u e d Amy Weiks, Jack da Silva, Marilyn da Silva, Sarah Holden, Yevgeniya Kaganovich, Kathleen Kennedy, Taylor Zarkades King, Deborah Lozier, Chelsea Nanfelt-Rowe, Caitie Sellers, Jina Seo, Stephanie Voegele, Adam Whitney, and April Wood. RJM negotiates contracts between the gallery, the artist, and the project to reflect a 33/33/33% split of proceeds. For this exhibition, sales totaled $1785.00 resulting in $595.00 profits for RJM. Striking Gold – Exhibition at Fuller Craft Museum RJM Artist Project members Curtis Arima and Adam Whitney had work featured in Striking Gold: Fuller at 50, an exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fuller Museum in Brockton, MA. This invitational project curated by Beth McLaughlin and Suzanne Ramljack explored the storied traditions, contemporary interpretations, skillful applications, and conceptual rigor of gold as an artistic material. It also investigated the multitude of cultural, material, and sociopolitical associations of this material. A catalogue was produced which you can find here: https://issuu.com/ fullercraftmuseum/docs/ sgcatalogueforemail RJM Satellite Projects ECU Material Topics Symposium and Competition In January 2019, Susie Ganch was keynote speaker at East Carolina University’s annual Material Topics Symposium. The symposium topic was “State of Adornment: Subject to Change.” In her presentation, Susie discussed the inextricable link between the future health of the jewelry field and the materials that are sourced to make our work. Using her own studio practice and RJM as examples, she talked about the complicated path artists take when balancing ethical and conceptual considerations in the studio. During breakout sessions after her presentation, Susie discussed RJM’s technical philosophy and introduced a design competition for participants. Winners included Chelsea Nanfelt-Rowe, Hosanna Rubio, and Kathryn Osgood. Each artist received a $100 gift certificate to Rio Grande. Three artists were recognized with an honorable mention award: Jera Lodge, Krissie Moore, and Mary Kay Palazzo. Earth Day 2019 RJM partnered with Amazon Aid, a nonprofit working to protect the Amazon Rain Forest, for an Earth Day event held at Fort A.P. Hill in central Virginia. 1500 students from area schools attended this one day event. RJM at Central Virginia Middle Schools In May 2019 RJM collaborated with middle school art teacher Jill Rich, and her students at Brookland Middle School and Elko Middle School in central Virginia for a mini RJM event. Sixth - eighth grade students researched the effects that open pit mining and fast fashion have on industry workers and the environment. Students used RJM jewelry donations and learned simple cold connections to design and create new madeover pieces. Interviews and Publicity Perceived Value Podcast Perceived Value (PV) host Sarah Rachel Brown interviewed Susie Ganch and Kathleen Kennedy in May. PV is a podcast broaching the subject of value with artists and has an international following of listeners. Susie and Kathleen discussed various facets of RJM in each of their podcasts: episode 42, Teach Me Always: Susie Ganch of Radical Jewelry Makeover, and episode 45, I Say Yes, That’s What You Do: Kathleen Kennedy. The episodes may be found here: https:// www.perceivedvaluepodcast.com/ home/2019/9/6/it-never-feels- enough-susie-ganch-of-radical- jewelry-makeover https:// www.perceivedvaluepodcast.com/ home/2019/12/8/i-say-yes-thats- what-you-do-kathleen-kennedy Articles written about RJM in 2019: Art Education Journal Article by Christine Woywod (RJM Wisconsin Participant) (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/ abs/ 10.1080/00043125.2019.1621627? needAccess=true&journalCode=uare 20)
  • 13.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 13 Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) R J M - c o n t i n u e d
  • 14.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 14 Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) R J M - c o n t i n u e d
  • 15.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 15 Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) R J M - c o n t i n u e d New York City Jewelry Week (NYCJW) 2019 On Friday November 22nd, 2019 RJM participated in NYCJW’s first annual Full Circle at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Full Circle was a one-day event designed to give jewelers an overview of many of the challenges that face the jewelry industry regarding sustainability. The event consisted of lectures, a film screening of the documentary “Rivers of Gold”, and a Resource Room that provided visitors with hands-on education and solutions to some of these topics. Kathleen Kennedy was joined by independent curator Maggie Smith at the RJM booth in the Education Resource Room. More information on the event may be found here: https:// nycjewelryweek.com/full-circle/ Current and Future RJM Installments RJM XV: South Florida In 2019 Lighthouse ArtCenter education director Maria Tritico invited RJM to come to Tequesta, Florida and work with students in her community on an RJM project installment. Together we invited the Armory Art Center and Resource Depot (West Palm Beach, FL) to create a larger, inclusive South Florida Project installment. Lighthouse ArtCenter, Armory Art Center, and Resource Depot became institutional members of Ethical Metalsmiths. Maria Tritico, Lisa Johnson, Chelsea Odom, and Alicia Boswell utilized the RJM toolkit and led the planning effort throughout the course of 2019. The South Florida Donation Drive began in the Fall 2019. The project is planned to kick off in early 2020. The Lighthouse ArtCenter also hosted an RJM exhibition in advance of the donation drive to generate excitement for the project. Madeover work from RJM XIII: Baltimore, RJM XIV:Wisconsin, and the satellite RJM ECU were exhibited. Proceeds from this exhibition brought $265.00 to the project. Future Installments: RJM XVI, RJM XVII, RJM XVIII! Curtis Arima, Associate Professor at California College of the Arts (and RJM Artist Project member) and Emily Cobb, Assistant Professor at Humboldt State University, initiated planning for an RJM installment in Northern California tentatively scheduled for Spring 2021. Lynn Batchelder, Assistant Professor, and Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, professor, from SUNY New Paltz initiated plans for an installment scheduled in the 2021-22 school year. Jina Seo, Assistant Professor (and RJM Artist Project member), is ready to plan an RJM installment with the program she leads at Missouri State University. This collaborative will reach out to partners in the region including Kansas University. RJM Team update: We rely heavily on the generous help from volunteers and a few paid staff who are paid through proceeds from sales of madeover jewelry. RJM Intern: In 2019, Radical Jewelry Makeover hired Dawoon Jeong as a paid apprentice. Dawoon, a recent BFA graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, helped Co-Directors Susie Ganch and Kathleen Kennedy with data entry, organizing leftover- unused materials, and photographing finished madeover jewelry. Much of Dawoon’s hard work can be seen on the RJM website (https:// www.radicaljewelrymakeover.org). RJM website designer/ consultant: Cheena Marie Lo continues to serve as the RJM web designer, building and updating the website.
  • 16.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 16 Treasurer’s Reports 2 0 1 9 | J a y M o n c a d a , T r e a s u r e r , B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s During 2019 we have seen a growing and sustaining community in our membership numbers and it continues to be an important revenue stream for the org. We are proud and excited to see the continued success of Better Without Mercury as their fiscal sponsor. Our sustained financial health and informed budgets has helped the org formulate the much anticipated hiring of an Executive Director, while securing budgets in web development and marketing to continue to foster the org’s growth. Our strong liquidity position also offers for the addition of new programs and initiatives that align with the org’s mission. Fiscal Year 2019 2019
  • 17.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 17 Treasurer’s Reports T r e a s u r e r ’ s r e p o r t - c o n t i n u e d 2019 Operating Income FY 2019 Individuals 8,852 Membership Revenue 20,116 Major Donors & Grants 8,542 Corporate Sponsors 4,029 RJM Sales 98 Special Program Fundraising 14,112 Total gross income 54,749 Operating Expense Administration & Conference Expenses 3,066 Program Grants & Assistance 12,000 Program Service Expenses 8,426 Development 3,500 Total expenses 26,992 Net Income 27,757
  • 18.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 18 Annual Retreat S e a t t l e , A u g u s t 1 - 3 , 2 0 1 9 W e n d y W o l d e n b e r g It is a glorious thing to gather such passionate supporters of the responsible jewelry movement in one room together. The Ethical Metalsmiths annual Board retreat was an example of our mission statement brought to life - education, connection, and action. On the eve before the retreat, Anza Gems sponsored a dinner and cocktail party for Ethical Metalsmiths, Women’s Jewelry Organization, and Seattle Metals Guild. Then, the Board and Advisors spent the next two days digging into a packed agenda. You know the conversations are deep, intense, and meaningful when innocent bystanders (the friend who quietly assembled our meals in the next room) tells you after the fact that they had no idea the grand issues we are working to solve as an organization. Success! Besides the usual procedural issues we sorted out (adopting new by- laws, defining our board structure, making and approving motions), we made some important decisions which will drive Ethical Metalsmiths into the foreseeable future. The retreat participants embarked in extensive discussions about Ethical Metalsmiths increasing its presence at the larger jewelry shows (Tucson, Las Vegas, New York, etc). Through branded booths, showcases, signage, and representation, we decided to discuss the possibilities with show organizers. This led to a wonderful presence at NYC Jewelry Week, and a plan for the 2020 JCK Vegas Show. Unfortunately, that was cancelled due to Covid-19. Another key takeaway from the annual retreat was the decision to apply to become a member of the Jewelry Leadership Forum. Comprised of the main organizations in the Jewelry sector, the time has come for Ethical Metalsmiths to take a seat at the table. Monica Stephenson as President Elect, and Alexandra Hart as President, are our Ethical Metalsmiths representatives, and have been contributing our message of sustainability to the collaborative discussions. since. Drumroll please! Biggest takeaway from the annual retreat to follow. Ethical Metalsmiths has been operating without any paid positions for over two years. At this annual retreat, we made the decision to hire a new executive director. Not just any executive director, but one who came from selflessly serving the Board of Directors since its inception. Her institutional knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to rally people to action made her the perfect selection. We decided to hire Alexandra Hart as our new Executive Director (effective mid-2020). The 2.5 days of the retreat were action-packed and intense! I could have never predicted at the beginning that we would come out with plans to hire a new ED, and especially not one as qualified as Alexandra. On a personal note, I am honored to serve with such a courageous, dedicated group of people.
  • 19.
    2023© ETHICAL METALSMITHSANNUAL REPORT 2019 19 Student/Supporter ($0-150) Total: 107 Betsy Drake Bierkan Yichen Guan Mathilde Tétreault Mary Jarvis Tracey Carswell Anna Doll Christine Charles-Ventoux Bridget Parlato Elisabeth Arzt Yajing Yan Emily Soderberg Xin Xu Megan Cochran Sarah McFadden Shawna Hipple Taylor Dunivan Maya Rose Weiss Ann Broich Heather McBryar John Parkins Krystal Smith Sadie Fenley Zheng Zeng Kelly Temple Ruizhi Li Lena Binnington Kattie Jones Bryan Treakle Erin Underhill Gina Denton Xin Guan Yao Huang Morgan Lloyd Cessna Manalili Michael Nashef Cierra Redding Johanna Typaldos Mackenzie Wells Scott Brackett Sarah Brown Weixuan Huang Jung Ki Min Xiangyin Shi Mizuki Tochigi Nina van Duijnhoven Tracy Welling Saydee Chandler Sergio Estrada Elizabeth Walton Steve Alexis Lauren Eckert Michael Gomez A Groves Militsa Milenkova Sarah Murphy Diba Niazi Ellen Sisti Talia Tanaka Helen Wyatt Maddison Bygrave Shana Cave Suyu Chen Yu Chi Chien Nicholas DeLeone Rachel Dunn Shaolinyi Fan Ashley Fisher Alexandra Gasparis Dinu Gavris Erica Hoosic Cathryn Jasterzbski Dawoon Jeong Mariyn Koch Malissa Kuznicki Kim Le Xun Liu Jennifer Marcson Max Meier Chelsea Nanfelt Farzaneh Nozari Adwowa Obeng Chase Shotton Siqiong Wen Dongyi Wu Zihan Yang Yingqi Zhao Bettina Van Hulle Miao He Renee Ricci Gretchen Schreiber Chiieng Chan Chloe Pflug Mary Kay Palazzo Jiayin Wang Chelsea Chapman Vanessa Carrington Fargol Gholamrezazadeh Leticia Ramirez Jamie Pelusi Vanessa Yang Yung Hewan Zewdi Stephanie Calvert Michele Chaboudy Cecilia Echeverri Ana Sierra Designer ($151-300) Total: 41 Emily Cobb Lisa Johnson Jennifer O'Brien Christina Malle Irene Weinz Brandelyn Rosenberg Daniel Juzwiak Rebecca Grady Amanda Buchanan Karin Jacobson Nancy Klotz Catherine Claus Patty Lauritzen Margaret Skemp Jessica Hudson Julia Popovich Jenny Park Kate Maller Sophie Hughes Sharon Jewelry Chad VErhof Jana Brevick Valerie Kasinskas Todd Pownell Matthew Baxter Shaya Durbin Noor Shamma Kimberly Haisch Nicole Grandics Alexandra Hart Danielle Barbe Ana Brazaityte Jane Bartel Donna Bilak Myriam Elie Alisa Thorp Alicia Arkwright Judy Geib Susan Harbourt Mariele Williams Wing Yau Melanie Casey Emily Johnson Retailer/Supplier ($500+) Total: 6 Ben Manning Roya Jabbar Jamie Hollier Deborah Spencer Emily Phillippy Laurel Hilton Ethical Metalsmiths Donors and Members 2 0 1 9 E M D o n o r s / M e m b e r s To t a l : 1 5 4 Thank you for your strong belief in our shared mission