Seth Papac

“Jewelry, in its concentrated and intimate scale, has the unique capability to retain history, hold a memory, convey a message and transform a wearer-nothing inspires me more.”

Seth Papac’s studio practice investigates and challenges the formal, conceptual, and contextual possibilities of jewelry. Along with producing conceptual one-of-a-kind work, Seth designs and creates innovative limited production, fine jewelry, and commissions for his company, Seth Papac Jewelry, which he founded in 2013. He received a BFA in Jewelry&Metalsmithing from the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, and an MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI. His work is exhibited and published internationally and he is the recipient of several prestigious awards and grants including the Louise Comfort Tiffany Award and the Toby Devan Lewis Fellowship. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX, Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI, Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA, and the Rotasa Foundation, Mill Valley, CA. He has taught at various college programs across the country including The University of Oregon, San Diego State University, served as the Department Head of Metal at The Oregon College of Art and Craft, and is currently Assistant Professor in Residence and the Acting Graduate Program Director at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Awards

2016 Art Jewelry Forum Artist Award Finalist
2013 The Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award
2011 Peter S Reed Foundation Grant, New York, NY
2009 Toby Devan Lewis Fellowship
2004 Marylin Werby Rabinovitch Memorial Purchase Award

Publications

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX
Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, Washington
Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland, OR
The Rotasa Foundation
Marilyn Werby Rabinovitch Collection, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Current Work

 

 

Torn Inside Circle Pendant: one of a kind; hand fabricated sterling silver. By artist Seth Papac

 

Torn V Earrings: one of a kind, hand fabricated sterling silver hoops with patina. By artist Seth Papac

 

Past Work

 

Collected Parure 1 
In brass, silver, 22k gold, found objects, and paint. 
Exhibit: Recycle: Recreate, Redefine, Re-imagine 

 

1951 "i.d." 
Necklace in enameled steel, powder coated steel, resin, and powder enamel. 2 x 0.75" 
Exhibit: Celebrating 70 

 

Field of Reeds, The Sun's Gifts Necklace 
Necklace in sterling silver, chalcedony, and lapis lazuli. Hand-made, one-of-a-kind. 18" long. 2 1/2 x 1 3/4" pendant. 

 

Field of Reeds, Ocean Pyramid Pendant 
Necklace in silver, lapis lazuli, and malachite. Hand-made pendant and clasp. One-of-a-kind. 20" long. 1 1/4 x 1 1/8" pendant.