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Poetter Hall was purchased by the SCAD founders in March 1979. Classes began in September of that year.  
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The Arts

Artists put the pedal to the metal

“Not in Deference to any Particular Religion” by Roger Bowersox

“Not in Deference to any Particular Religion” by Roger Bowersox is on display through Jan. 26, 2004, at Pinnacle Gallery as part of “Precious Metals.”

By Hannah Pittard
Published: Friday, December 19, 2003

In honor of the college’s 25th silver anniversary, many of the pieces on display at “Precious Metals” — an exhibition featuring six SCAD artists who work in a variety of metal media — are highlighted with silver.

Each artist brings a unique background and perspective to the collection. Pei-Jung Chen (M.F.A. metals and jewelry, 2002), for example, graduated from Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, before attending SCAD and is working in Savannah at Levy Jewelers as a jewelry designer. Chen’s work is no stranger to awards and exhibitions, having claimed such honors as third place at the SNAG and 3M Innovative Tools Awards, finalist at the Second American Craft Museum Horizon Award Competition and outstanding achievement in metals and jewelry award at SCAD in 2002; NICHE Student Awards finalist in fine jewelry in 2001; and The Best of Degrees Project in the Department of Visual Communication Design at Yunlin University in 1998.

“ Ruckus on the rocks,” a gelato bowl crafted out of sterling silver by Roger Bowersox, also is included in the “Precious Metals” collection. Bowersox, who graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2002 with an M.F.A. in metals and jewelry, is the shop technician for the metals and jewelry department at SCAD. “People usually think of metal as cold and unyielding. I do not. The ability to treat metal as a fluid medium, shaping and forming it like pliable clay, fascinates and challenges me,” said Bowersox who, before joining the college’s staff, was awarded the Small Book Award at the 14th Annual Bookarts and Printmaking Student Exhibition at the University of Georgia in 2001; the Best Crafted Journal at the same competition in 2000; and the Vice President’s Purchase Award and Best Metalwork Award at the Annual Student Art Exhibit at State University of New York at Brockport in 1995.

Metals and jewelry graduate student Amy Pilkington’s designs take the shapes of jewelry, wall pieces and sculpture. “Jewelry has a more functional purpose,” said Pilkington, who is the founder and president of Harry & Possumtrot, a fine jewelry label. “People relate to jewelry on a more personal level. The jewelry I create is not terribly conceptual.” On the other hand, she said her wall pieces and sculpture “are more like pure art.” Seven pieces by Pilkington are on display, including four wall panels, one mixed-media sculpture in sterling and fine silver, one pair of large hoop-style earrings in 18-karat gold, and a necklace with mixed semiprecious stones.

Chen, Bowersox and Pilkington are joined by Megan Gillis, Kelly Robinson and Julia Elizabeth Kemp, whose work ranges from delicate jewelry studded with colorful stones to finely crafted serving utensils.

“Precious Metals” is on display at Pinnacle Gallery, 320 Liberty St., through Jan. 26, 2004.