By Pete Rosenbery
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Get ready to hammer down and light the forge next weekend at the annual Southern Illinois Metalsmiths Society (SIMS) conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4-5.
The two-day conference features demonstrations, artist talks and networking opportunities with metalsmiths, jewelers, blacksmiths, students and educators from across the region. The event is open to the public.
Visiting artists Sunyoung Cheong, an assistant professor of metalsmithing and jewelry at the University of Kansas, and Adam Hawk, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, will each give demonstrations, artist talks and solo shows during the conference. Hawk earned his Master of Fine Arts in metalsmithing and blacksmithing from SIU’s School of Art and Design. Cheong’s visit is sponsored by the Fine Arts Activity Fee.