About Rachel

Rachel Kedinger is an artist currently living in Philadelphia Pennsylvania creating her own work. Rachel primarily makes objects out of metal with a focus on utilitarian use. Before moving to Philly in early 2018 Rachel participated in the Core Fellowship Program at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina. She has also lived in Detroit, MI and Rehoboth Beach, DE, seeking opportunities to work with various artists and metalsmithing shops. Previous to living and working in Michigan Rachel grew up in Wisconsin and went to school at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee where she received her BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing in 2012.

STATEMENT

I am interested in the history and use of objects. When making I think about objects people use in their daily practice and how I can focus on details that create a better user experience. I try to understand the interaction between the user and the objects by adding elements of detail and care. I want to create objects of intention not only in the making but also when used. I think about the longevity of an object that will last longer than my existence and what that means to me as a maker. This pushes me to make everyday tools that everyone can use. I often combine materials that evoke toughness and fragility. This idea challenges me to transform materials and create objects intended for interaction.

Media: Ørsted Sustainable Energy Commercial

I participated in a sustainable energy commercial as a welder and metalworker. Please watch video clip above.

CV

Education

Core Fellowship Program, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC, 2016-2018
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, May 2012

Concentration: Jewelry and Metalsmithing

Skills

Metal Forming and Forging
Ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication
MIG, TIG, Oxy acetylene Welding
Woodworking
Machining
Concrete, rubber & metal casting

3D modeling
Teamwork

Instructing

Residencies

2023 + 2020

Penland Winter Residency, Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC

2019

Pentaculum, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

Teaching Opportunities

2025

Penland School of Craft, Details for your dwelling, Penland NC 6/1- 6/14
Baltimore Jewelry Center, Enamel on Formed Dishes, Baltimore MD 4/19 -4/20
Peters Valley School of Craft, Plates and Platters, Sandyston NJ 9/12- 9/14

2024

Snow Farm, The New England Craft Program, Picnic Party Utensil Workshop, 5/2-5/5 2024, Williamsburg MA
Peters Valley School of Craft, Plates and Platters, Sandyston NJ 8/16-8/20 2024
2023
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Blacksmith Shop, Investigating Tableware, Deer Isle, ME
Touchstone Center for Crafts, SNAG X Touchstone, Demonstrator, Enamel on Steel, Farmington, PA
Baltimore Jewelry Center, Enameling on Steel, Baltimore, MD
2022
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Metals Studio, Enameling at Large, Gatlinburg, TN
2021
University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Visiting artist and resident, Milwaukee, WI

2019

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Blacksmith Shop, Studio Based Learning Program, Deer Isle, ME
NextFab, Jewelry Studio, Wooden Cabochon Bezel Ring, Philadelphia, PA

Gallery Representatives

Penland Gallery, Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC
National Ornamental Museum, Museum Store, Memphis, TN
Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA

Exhibitions

2025

Enameling Reimagined, Solo Show, Baltimore Jewelry Center, Baltimore MD
Under Fire 5, Enamel Guild North East, Online Exhibition

2024

Relic Feast, Penland Focus Gallery, Penland NC
Spoons, Brooklyn Metal Works, NYC
2023
A Good Time, JV Gallery, Bok Building, Philadelphia PA
Distinctive Drinkware, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA
2022
Form-ative, Bascom Visual Art Center, Highlands NC
2020
Meta- Formation: Experiments and Rituals, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston TX
Talente, Handwerk & Design, Internationale Handwerkmesse, Munich, Germany
TRAC Arts Council Blacksmith Exhibit, TRAC Spruce Pine Gallery, Spruce Pine, NC
Object Permanence, Baltimore Jewelry Center, Baltimore, MD
2020 Arrowmont Instructor Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN

2019

Required Reading, Reimagining a Colonial Library. Boston Athenaem, Boston, MA
Mapping a Nation, American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA

Appetites & Objects, Baltimore Jewelry Center, Baltimore, MD
40 Under 40, The Next Generation of American Metal Artists, National Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis, TN
Meta- Formation: Experiments and Rituals, Appalachian Center for Craft, Smithville, TN

2018

Materials Hard and Soft, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX

Tableware, Infocus Gallery, Greenhill Center for NC Art, Greensboro, NC
Radical Jewelry Makeover, Union Art Gallery, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
TRAC Arts Council Blacksmith Exhibit, TRAC Spruce Pine Gallery, Spruce Pine, NC
Core, How Space, Boone, NC
Plate Glass, Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), Portland, OR

2017

Medium, Queens Gallery, Charlotte, NC
Plate Glass, Enamelist Society Conference Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg TN
TRAC Arts Council Blacksmith Exhibit, TRAC Spruce Pine Gallery, Spruce Pine, NC

Craft Legacy, Visitor Center Gallery, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC

FOCUS Exhibition: Well Designed Objects, Penland Gallery, Penland, NC
Materials Hard and Soft, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX

2016

Alloy, Carbondale Arts R2 Gallery, Carbondale, CO
TRAC Arts Council Blacksmith Exhibit, TRAC Spruce Pine Gallery, Spruce Pine, NC

2013

Solo Show, Scuptural Art Jewerly of Rachel Kedinger, Workshop, Detroit, MI

Jewelry & Object, Michigan Silversmiths Guild, Anton Art Center, Mt Clemens, MI
COATED, The Studio, Brooklyn, NY

2012

Multiples Exhibition 2012, Heidi Lowe Gallery, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Enamelist Society Online Exhibition
Exhibition in Motion, Society of North American Goldsmiths Conference, SNAG, Scottsdale, AZ
Metals! 12 Juried Student Exhibition, Mary Nohl Art Galleries, Zelazo Center, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Object Student Exhibition, Kenilworth Open Studios, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Tool of our Hand, in conjunction with The Tool at Hand, Mam After Dark, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI

2011

Crossing Over, Scholarship Recipient, Union Art Gallery, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Junior Scholarship Competition, Inova Arts Center, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Metals! 11 Juried Student Exhibition, Mary Nohl Art Galleries, Zelazo Center, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, Juror: Lena Vigna, Racine Art Museum
Artist of the month: March, UWM Craft Center, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Object Student Exhibition, Kenilworth Open Studios, UWM, Milwaukee, WI

2010

Crossing Over, Scholarship Recipient, Union Art Gallery, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Art of the Table, in conjunction with European Design Since 1985, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Euro Bash trunk show, MAM After Dark in conjunction with European Design Since 1985, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Metals 10! Juried Student Exhibition, Mary Nohl Art Galleries, Zelado Center, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, Juror: Kim Cridler, UW- Madison
Sophomore Scholarship Competition, Inova Arts Center, UWM, Milwaukee, WI

2009

Metals! 09 Juried Student Exhibition, Mary Nohl Art Galleries, Zelado Center UWM, Milwaukee, WI, Juror: Kim Cridler, UW- Madison

Publications

2020

Art Jewelry Forum, Object Permanence, https://artjewelryforum.org/articles-series

2012

Metals 12! Student Work review, Art Jewelry Magazine online article, Theresa D. Abelew

Showcase 500 Rings, Lark Crafts publication, Turned Corners 2009, Juror: Bruce Metcalf, p. 300

Experience

2019- Present

Freelance Metalworker
RTO Lighting, Metal worker, Designer, Philadelphia, PA
2019
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Hot shop Technician, Open Door Residency, Deer Isle, ME
Blacksmith Demonstrator, Brass spoon forging, Fire on the Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC

2018-2019

Holzman Iron Studio, Metal worker, Philadelphia, PA
Blacksmith Demonstrator, Sacred Arts Festival, Glencairn Museum, Bryn Athyn, PA
Blacksmith Demonstrator, Fire on the Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC
Haystack Open Door, Assistant to Mike Rossi, Explore, Experiment, Extrapolate, Deer Isle, ME

2016-2018

Fall 2017 Independent Study with Frankie Flood, Boone, NC

Penland School of Crafts, Penland Core Fellow, Cook, Penland, NC

2015

Assistant to Seth Gould, White is the New Black, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC

2013- 2016

Smith Shop, Metalworker, Designer, Teacher, Detroit, MI
Fritz and Friends, Teacher, jewelry and metalworking studio, Franklin, M

2012

Jeweler Assistant with Heidi Lowe Gallery, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Research Fellow with Yevgeniya Kaganovich through Stipend for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF): Associate Professor, Head; Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Peck School of the Arts, UWM

2010-2012

Research Fellow with Yevgeniya Kaganovich through Stipend for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF): Associate Professor, Head; Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Peck School of the Arts, UWM

Awards/Honors

2018

TRAC Spruce Pine Blacksmith Exhibit, Most Functional Handmade

2016

TRAC Spruce Pine Blacksmith Exhibit, Best Handmade Tool

2012

Enamelist Society Online Exhibition, Jurors’ Choice Award in the Open category

First Prize, Herald A. Milbrath Memorial Jewelry and Metalsmithing Prize, Metals! 12 Juried Student Exhibition, UWM, Jurors: Jim Charles, Dr. Kimberly Cosier, and Jennifer Gutowski
Nominee: Windgate Fellowship- Center for Craft, Creativity & Design, UNC Asheville Kellogg Center, Hendersonville, NC
First Prize, 4th International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China

2011

Elsa Ulbricht Memorial Scholarship, Junior Scholarship Award, Peck School of the Arts, UWM

2010

Visual Art Alumni Scholarship, Sophomore Scholarship Award, Peck School of the Arts, UWM
Juror’s choice Award, Metals! 10 Juried Student Exhibition, UWM, Juror: Kim Cridler

Lectures/ Demonstrations/ Workshops Attended

2017

Jack Mauch, Woodworking, It's a process, Wood studio 2 month, Penland School of Crafts, NC
Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, Sticks & Stones, Metals studio 2 weeks, Penland, NC
Carmen Gambino, Bicycle Design & Frame Building, Iron studio 2 week, Penland, NC
Natelie Chanin, Explorations in Hand Sewing, Textile studio 2 week, Penland, NC
Vivian Beer, Design & Fab-ulous, Iron Studio 2.5 weeks, Penland, NC
Sarah Marriage, Plane and Shave, Wood studio 1 week, Penland, NC
Frankie Flood, Independent study, CNC metal milling, 2 month, Boone, NC
Rachel Meggines, one week, Penland, NC

2016

Mark Melones, Concrete casting with wood, wood studio 2.5 weeks, Penland, NC
Elizabeth Brim, Blacksmithing, Iron studio 2 month, Penland NC
Amara Hark-Weber, Shoemaking, 2 weeks, Penland, NC
Michael Bondi, Forging Non Ferrous Metals, Irion studio 2 weeks, Penland, NC
Elizabeth Turrell, Enameling, Metals studio 2 weeks, Penland, NC
Daniel Beck, Iron Studio 1 week, Penland, NC
Jay Burnham-Kidwell, Iron studio 2 month, Penland NC
Rachel Meginnes, one week, Penland, NC

2015

Penland School of Crafts- Assistant for Seth Gould, White is The New Black, Iron Studio, Penland, NC

Penland School of Crafts- Assistant for Kim Cridler, Steel as Descriptive Line, Metals Studio, Penland, NC

2014

Penland School of Crafts- Assistant for Lawrence Woodford, Methods for New Materials in Contemporary Jewelry, Metals Studio, Penland, NC

2012

Anya Kivarkis, Individual critique, Article Discussion, Artist Now! Lecture: Jewelry Appropriating Jewelry: From Dutch Portraiture to the Internet Archive, UWM, WI
Michael Dale Bernard, Individual critique, UWM, WI

2011

Iris Eichenberg, Individual critique, Artist Now! Lecture: Would I Be My Customer, UWM, WI
Sean Slemon, Aqua Resin Workshop, Artist Now! Lecture: Public Property/ Responsibility, UWM, WI
Tom Loeser, Artist Now! Lecture: Additions, Distractions, Multiple Complications and Divisions
Susie Ganch, Enameling, Cold connections, Artist Now! Lecture, UWM, Milwaukee, WI

2010

Susie Ganch, UW- Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
Noam Toren, Artist Now! Lecture: Objects and Multimedia, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Bruce Metcalf, Article Discussion, Artist Now! Lecture, UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Lisa Gralnick, Plaster Mold Making, Artist Now! Lecture, UWM, Milwaukee, WI 2009
Andy Cooperman, Flex shaft tools and Uses, Soldering techniques, Artist Now Lecture UWM, Milwaukee, WI
Kim Cridler, Steel Soldering, Artist Now Lecture, UWM, Milwaukee, WI

Service

Organizing Philadelphia Women in the Trades(2019-present)
Volunteer, Mitchell County Senior Center, Bakersville, NC (2017)

President, Object Student Organization, UWM, Milwaukee, WI (2012)

Elected President, Object Student Organization, UWM, Milwaukee, WI (2011)
Vice President, Object Student Organization, UWM, Milwaukee, WI (2010-11)