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Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
Berea Artist Robert Craig Thompson to Create Pierced and Layered Sterling Silver Jewelry at Kentucky Artisan Center
On Saturday, September 4, Robert Craig Thompson of Berea will create pierced and layered sterling silver jewelry from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.
Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Robert Craig Thompson was one of six children in a military family that traveled all over the United States and Germany during his early years. His father was a talented draftsman who passed on his talent on to his son. Thompson’s many moves allowed him to become adept at keeping himself occupied by drawing and creating objects. His interest in art and jewelry was kindled when walking through the art department at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and seeing a lost wax casting being done. At EKU, Thompson focused on a major in jewelry and metals and a minor in ceramics and painting.
After assembling the studio equipment he needed, Thompson moved to Berea, where he has lived and worked as an artist and jeweler for more than 20 years. Since 1997 he has worked out of his studio, now located at 103 Jackson Street on the College Square in Berea.
Much of Thompson’s work is influenced by nature and the travels he has made throughout his life. The culture and beauty of Japan has been the inspiration for his most recent works and he specializes in finely cut imagery produced using old world hand tools such as the jeweler’s saw, hand drills, pliers and other hand tools at his jewelers bench. In his demonstration at the Kentucky Artisan Center, Thompson will layer hand cut pieces of sterling silver to create jewelry that portrays the landscapes of his travels.
Works by Robert Craig Thompson are regularly available at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, located at 975 Walnut Meadow Road just off I-75 at exit 77 (Berea). The center’s exhibits, shopping and travel information areas are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the café is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The center currently features works by more than 650 artisans from 100 counties across the Commonwealth. For information call 859-985-5448 or visit the center’s website at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is an agency in the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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