Earl Pardon
Bracelet, 1951
Sterling silver, ebony, ivory, brass, and copper
Collection of Earl Pardon Estate
Photography: Murray Riss, Memphis, TN
Earl Pardon: Palette Maestro
April 13 – August 10, 2008
at Racine Art Museum
Organized by Rosanne Raab, Curator/Lecturer at Craft + Design, this colorful exhibition presents a career survey of the work of internationally respected American metalsmith Earl Pardon from the 1950s through the 1990s. Pardon was a major contributor to the rise of American studio jewelry in the second half of the 20th century. This show brings together wearable pieces and hollowware to trace his career-long interests in color and design in metal.
Trained formally as a painter, Pardon is best known for jewelry that incorporates rich colors in both enameled metal surfaces and colored gemstones. He is often credited for playing a significant role in the revival of the art of enameling, as well as introducing enamel as a design element in industry.
Pardon served in World War II and then attended the Memphis Academy of Art for his undergraduate degree in painting and his initial training in metalsmithing. After graduating in 1951, he joined the faculty of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he remained an influential art professor until his retirement in 1988. He also served as chair of the art department from 1968 until 1977. In his varied career, he also served as Assistant Director of Design for Towle Silversmiths in the 1950s and a consultant for Old Newbury Crafters in Massachusetts from 1960 to 1969.
More About the Exhibition
Earl Pardon: Palette Maestro
April 13 – August 10, 2008
at Racine Art Museum
Earl Pardon
Bracelet, 1951
Sterling silver, ebony, ivory, brass, and copper
Collection of Earl Pardon Estate
Photography: Murray Riss, Memphis, TN
Organized by Rosanne Raab, Curator/Lecturer at Craft + Design, this colorful exhibition presents a career survey of the work of internationally respected American metalsmith Earl Pardon from the 1950s through the 1990s. Pardon was a major contributor to the rise of American studio jewelry in the second half of the 20th century. This show brings together wearable pieces and hollowware to trace his career-long interests in color and design in metal.
Trained formally as a painter, Pardon is best known for jewelry that incorporates rich colors in both enameled metal surfaces and colored gemstones. He is often credited for playing a significant role in the revival of the art of enameling, as well as introducing enamel as a design element in industry.
Pardon served in World War II and then attended the Memphis Academy of Art for his undergraduate degree in painting and his initial training in metalsmithing. After graduating in 1951, he joined the faculty of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he remained an influential art professor until his retirement in 1988. He also served as chair of the art department from 1968 until 1977. In his varied career, he also served as Assistant Director of Design for Towle Silversmiths in the 1950s and a consultant for Old Newbury Crafters in Massachusetts from 1960 to 1969.
More About the Exhibition
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Sponsors
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Herzfeld Foundation
Reliance Controls
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board
Silver Sponsors
Anonymous
Art Bridges
Baird
A.C. Buhler Family
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Jim Harris
Sharon and Tom Harty
Lise Iwon
J. Jeffers & Co.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors
Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Andis Foundation
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Butcher & Barrel/Amos Los Tacos
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Tony and Andrea Hauser
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
The Prairie School
Cathy Stanghellin
Georgiana Treivush
Twin Disc, Inc.
