Exhibitions and Events

The managers of the League of NH Craftsmen Retail Galleries have selected juried member Paulette Werger as the featured craftsperson for the 2010 Traveling Exhibition

The Concord League Retail Gallery welcomes metalsmith Paulette Werger. While showcasing her collection of one of a kind jewelry in silver, gold and Keum-boo, Paulette will be demonstrating the ancient Korean Keum-boo techinique of fusing gold and silver.

Paulette is originally from upstate New York. She received her B.S. in Painting and Sculpture from the College of Saint Rose in Albany NY, and her M.F.A. in Art Metal from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a founding member of Metal People East, Lebanon, NH, where she now works. Paulette exhibits both nationally and internationally, and teaches workshops in jewelry making and metalsmithing techniques.

Paulette makes jewelry, vessels and flatware that draw on botanical imagery, mythology and folk tales. “I have an interest in the abstracted patterns commonly found in plant life. Form, texture and pattern borrowed from my garden are the basis for the collage-like surfaces and simple volumes in my metalwork. My neckpieces, rings, earrings and beads combine a variety of materials including fresh water pearls, precious and semi precious stones, high karat gold, and pewter. Vessels and spoons allow me to explore both the scale and function of table service.”

Paulette Werger Statement:

I am originally from rural upstate New York. My great grandfather was a painter trained in the Hudson River School, who supported a family of ten from his artwork. Growing up, I was surrounded by his paintings and the landscape that had inspired him. As a child, I spent many hours outdoors rambling through fields and woods, building tree forts and drawing pictures. My family was not surprised when I was inclined toward art and, because of my great grandfather’s example, very supportive. The importance of the natural world has persisted in the narrative of my work.

I also have a love for working with tools influenced by my Dad, who was mechanic. The childhood activities of drawing and fixing things in the garage formed an interest and passion for metalsmithing. One of my favorite poems is “Ode to Things,” by Pablo Neruda, which has the line “I have a crazy, crazy love of things. I like pliers, and scissors.” Nowadays I happily prowl flea markets and antique stores in search of the perfect pair of hand-smoothed pliers. In my studio I can be all but hidden behind a forest of tool handles.

“Couple” and “August Remembered,” are from series titled “Beyond the Garden Gate” inspired by observation and interpretation of a small space of great importance. My attempt is to capture the tenuous bits and pieces of the garden and translate them into objects for the table and the body. Playing with the metaphor of cycles of life and growth allows me to work within a simple visual narrative. The work is intentionally pared-down, simple and spare as the first forms of spring or the last of winter. I use traditional techniques including fabricating, Keum-boo, and casting to achieve fully three-dimensional, small wearable sculptures.

My neckpieces, rings, earrings and beads combine a variety of materials including, fresh water pearls, precious and semi precious stones, high karat gold, and pewter. Vessels and spoons allow me to explore both the scale and function of table service. Keum-Boo, the traditional Korean technique of fusing 24KT gold and silver is combined with roller embossing, stamping, etching, solder inlay, and stone setting to produce intentionally subtle and elegant pieces of jewelry and table wear.

“Simple elegance for the body and the home is my signature of excellence.”

Check back for more information in regard to time and date of exhibition.