THE HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY FOR MIDWEST METALSMITHS

Ray Wenneker pioneered the idea of organizing the metalsmiths in the St. Louis area in 1994. Her goal was to establish a guild with the goal to promote, educate, develop and encourage individuals and groups who are interested in metalsmithing. When Ray first approached Heikki Seppa with the idea, he was not very encouraging. He stated that if she came up with even a handful of interested metalsmiths, it would astound him. He did agree to do the first workshop if the organization ever came to fruition.

Setting up a Not-for-Profit organization is no easy task, Ray Wenneker single handedly worked to research and learn all she needed to succeed. She started by contacting SNAG for information on how to begin. Phil London, the President of the Florida Society of Goldsmiths at that time, was kind enough to send her a copy of their by-laws which she subsequently used as a guide.

John Baltrushunas introduced Ray to Sue Greenberg, Director of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Sue was very helpful and in turn made an appointment for Ray with the law firm of Gallop Johnson & Neuman, who did pro-bono work for art related not for profits. They helped her take the proper steps to establish SMM as a not-for-profit guild. The Society was officially founded as a not-for-profit organization in 1995.

Thus began The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths. The first meeting was held at the Maryville University campus where it has continued to meet, to this day. Chris Chauvin was the first acting president and Ray Wenneker was the first 'elected’ president. She held that position for 2 years. Other presidents through the years included: Janet Wilding, Lanie Kodner /Ellie Samsom, Mike Gleason, Howard Siegel, Gayle Eastman, Linda Lankford and Linda Lankford/Kathryn Bowman.

FOUNDING MEMBERS:
Of the original group of founding members, Ray Wenneker, Deborrah Daher, Lanie Kodner, Sherri Jaudés, Jan Hessel, John Baltrushunas, Paulette Myers, Debbie LaFara, Dayne Sislen, Roger Rimel, Linda Shapiro, Mary Ernst, Ellen Klamon, Peggy Eng, Noel Liecht and Janet Wilding are still members. That SMM has retained so many of the original members is, in itself, a testament to what a great organization we have.

EXHIBITIONS:
Our first Regional Exhibition was held at The St. Louis Artists' Guild in 1996. The exhibition was titled "At the Table", the Exhibition chairperson was Deborrah Daher and the juror was Chuck Evans. In 1999 SMM's first National exhibition was titled "Talismans for the Coming Millennium" Deborrah Daher was the exhibition chair and Eleanor Moty was the juror. The next National Exhibition was held in 2001 again at The St. Louis Artists' Guild and was titled, "Metal Departures" with Janet Wilding as the chairperson and Pat Flynn the juror.

This Exhibition was followed in 2004 by "Stones/s a Piece of Rock for a Specific Function", held at the St. Louis Artists' Guild with Lanie Kodner and Deborrah Daher as the co-chairs and C. James Meyer as the juror. In 2006 SMM's National Exhibition was "Hey, These Things Just Snap Right Off!" at the Artist Guild. Sherri Jaudés and Jessica Erickson were the co-chairs and Andy Cooperman was the juror for this exhibition. All of the SMM exhibitions from 1999 until 2006 included a professionally printed photographic catalog of the work, along with a workshop by the juror and a lecture about the gallery show offered free of charge to the public. These exhibitions were featured and reviewed in local and national publications.

In 2008-09 the first "METAL Inclinations" International Online Exhibition debuted on the Internet with Dayne Sislen as the exhibition chairperson. The exhibition featured 50 digital images of metalwork and jewelry and stayed live for one full year. Over 1400 images were entered.

In 2010-11 SMM produced "METAL Inclinations2", again with Dayne Sislen as the Exhibition Chairperson. SMM Exhibitions have consistently been recognized as high quality, major events showcasing exceptionally talented artists from around the world.

Members' Shows
SMM has also provided members with opportunities to show their work in members' shows, the venues including Craft Alliance and other arts organizations, and in galleries such as Adam Foster Jewelry Design, as part of group shows or trunk shows. The organization has negotiated group rates for professional photographs of members pieces to aid them in presenting quality entries.

NEWSLETTER:
Started in 1995 Chris Chauvin was the first newsletter editor, then Dayne Sislen, Susan Boudreau, April Morris, Linda Lankford and Elizabeth Wood. The newsletter is now mailed or emailed and posted on the website.

SNAG CONFERENCE:
In 1999 SMM had the privilege of hosting the Society for North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) Conference here in St. Louis. Lanie Kodner and Ellie Samson were the presidents at that time and shouldered a lot of the responsibility along with John Baltrushunas as chair.

Michael Good was the keynote speaker, with Betty Helen Longhi, Lisa Gralnick, Gavreal Feder, Jim Kelso, Nicole Ann DesChamps, Hiroko Sato-Pijanowski, Roy Skognick, Rick Smith, Kathleen Eggert, John Behringer, Jan Yager, John Medwedeff, Dennis Nahabetian, Nancy Sachs, David Watkins and Susan Ewing as speakers.

There were special exhibitions at local venues including: Elleard B. Heffren, Locus Gallery, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Craft Alliance, Washington University Gallery of Art, Anheuser-Busch Gallery of Art at COCA, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, University Museum, SIUE Wagner Arts Gallery, Nancy Sachs Gallery, James Durbin Jewelers and Componere Gallery of Art and Fashion. Maryville University, St. Louis hosted "In the Palm of Your Hand,' a student exhibition, juried by Deborrah Daher and Ellen Klamon and chaired by Sherri Jaudés. Deborrah Daher also designed and produced the Student Show catalog.

Also in conjunction with the Conference, Linda Shapiro as Workshop Chairperson organized 10 workshops for before and after the conference. The workshops included presenters: Betty Helen Longhi, Elliot Pujol, Lee Marshall, Elizabeth Brim, Douglas Harling, Fred Fenster, Rick Smith, Munya Avigail Upin, and Chuck Evans. The SNAG conference was a huge project and a lot of hard work for our relatively new and small guild to organize. It brought very positive attention from the whole metalsmithing community to SMM, the Midwest and St. Louis.

WEBSITE:
In January 2001 the SMM website and chat group was started by Dayne Sislen. The website provides up to date information about meetings including minutes of past meetings, exhibitions and, events, and workshops. There is also an online gallery to showcase members' work.

WORKSHOPS AND SOCIAL EVENTS:
Over the years SMM has conducted numerous social and educational events. We are proud to have been able to offer excellent workshops and bring in nationally known artists as instructors, such as: Pat Flynn, Sara Perkins, Andy Cooperman, Doug Harling, James C. Meyer, Barbara Minor, Chuck Evans, Marcia Lewis, Deb Stoner, Dan Haga, Loren Damewood, Trish McAleer, Judy Stone, Mary Lee Hu, Nanz Aalund, Robert Dancik and Marlene True.

SMM members have also given workshops for the organization: Howard Siegel has given workshops in broomstraw casting, chainmaking, jewelry photography and wax casting. Dayne Sislen and Linda Shapiro gave a workshop on hydraulic die forming. Dayne Sislen also on jewelry rendering and another on making your own simple website. Roger Rimel twice on stone setting, Sherri Jaudés has given workshops on soldering 101 and chasing tools. Kathryn Bowman gave a workshop on etching metal. Zoe Lightfoot and Harland Taylor gave workshops on no-solder silversmithing and shell raising. In addition, SMM members have been generous with their time and knowledge sharing their skills with members in after meeting demos.

Maryville University is the usual location of SMM workshops. John Baltrushunas and Sherri Jaudés have been generous with their time overseeing the events. Paulette Myers the metals department Chair of SIUE, has generously allowed SMM to use SIUE's facilities for some workshops and invited SMM members to participate in SUIE's sponsored workshops.

SMM provides two scholarships for each SMM workshop to students attending from the sponsoring school. SMM also provides scholarships for metalsmithing classes and workshops at other schools for talented and underserved children.

Social Events:
Social events have included: lectures and slide shows, swap meets, themed meetings, pot luck dinners and lunches, picnics, exhibition kick off parties, openings and gallery tours.

Society for Midwest Metalsmiths members come from all over the surrounding region and beyond. They span generations and encompass hobbyists as well as practicing professionals, students and educators.