Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan Harris Smith.
Hi Jan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I fell in love with silversmithing 40 years ago when I took it in college as an elective.
I dabble in anything art, but silversmithing was an immediate passion for me!! When I moved to Utah, I began teaching silversmithing and fused glass at Kimball Art Center in Park City and then began teaching silversmithing at Pioneer Craft House and Lifelong Learning in Salt Lake.
Amy and I met through teaching silversmithing for the University of Utah Lifelong Learning and Pioneer Craft House. When Covid closed our classes, we decided to start our own silversmithing studio to teach from. We both have considerable experience in this field and live to bring new students into this craft. That’s how Salt City Smithery was born!!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road but not a hard one either. Amy had owned her own studio before and knew what needed to be done.
Both of us own our own businesses (The Silverschmidt and Jan Harris Smith Studio) through which we sell our jewelry. Struggling with the Covid pandemic has been the biggest obstacle so far.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Art has been part of my life since I was a little girl. It’s my foundation. When I found silversmithing in 1982, I was absolutely committed to becoming skilled at the Craft.
But other art also attracted me and I became skilled enough to start teaching art in the community in 1995. My proudest moment was when I began teaching at nationwide art retreats in 2005 and was selected in 2010 to teach in a retreat in Melbourne Australia, a country I had always wanted to explore. It was exciting to be considered a top instructor!!
My jewelry is informed by nature and my love for the mountains. I combine silversmithing with beading to create unique pieces that frame a hand-cut stone. I sell in local shows and from our studio. I have a teaching style that I tailor to each student’s needs and have received much positive feedback from my students!!
It’s so exciting to introduce them to this art!!!
Any big plans?
We’d like to grow and expand the studio into a learning center where we can host the top instructors from across the US and offer a variety of arts and crafts classes to appeal to an even larger audience.
A full-service art school!! We are also hosting the Utah Metal Arts Guild, which meets monthly on the fourth Monday of the month to provide support and mentoring to new smiths and a supportive network for existing smiths.
Pricing:
- Classes run from $125 for a one-night class to $335 for a multi-week class.
- Pen studio runs every Wednesday night from 6-9 for $30
- We sell metal and stones for making jewelry
- Private lessons are $50 an hour.
Contact Info:
- Website: Saltcitysmithery.com
- Instagram: @saltcitysmithery @janharrissmithstudio @thesilverschmidt
- Facebook: Facebook.com/saltcitysmithery; Facebook.com/janharrissmith
