About 92Y Jewelry Center

(watch our Jewelry Center video here)

The Jewelry Center at 92Y, under the direction of Jonathan Wahl, is the place where artists and designers from the world of studio jewelry, fashion jewelry, and academia meet to create, teach, and connect. From its beginnings as a single metalworking class in 1930, the Center has grown to become the largest and most esteemed program of its kind in the nation, and the oldest open studios in New York City. Its stellar faculty span the worlds of production and art, and foster a space where all aspects of jewelry design can be explored.

The Center serves more than 1,400 students a year through 60 weekly classes, weekend workshops, and visiting artists. The Center’s four fully equipped studios enable specialized training in such techniques as enameling, goldsmithing, silversmithing, stone setting, and wax carving, in addition to a formal Judaica metalsmithing program that is unique in the nation. The wide variety of classes and levels allows students to pursue comprehensive courses of study, whether a basic introduction for the absolute beginner, or advanced workshops and studio time for pre-professionals and professionals refining their skills.

92Y’s Jewelry Center recently announced a Jewelry Talks series to deepen understanding of all facets of the art of jewelry. The series is led by Editor-in-Chief of Town & Country magazine, and author of Jeweler: Masters Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design, Stellene Volandes.

Three times a year (on Giving Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, and before Mother’s Day), volunteers from 92Y’s Jewelry Center community, visit schools and the Win Women’s Shelter. They teach simple beading technique and assist with making necklaces from donated designer beads to present as gifts. It is the perfect opportunity for 92Y community members to take the skills they have learned and share them with the next generation of artists and makers. This program is supported by 92Y Producer’s Circle member Stacey S. Mayrock and is in collaboration with Karen Giberson, the President of the Accessories Council.

The Center hosts the only jeweler Artist in Residence program in New York City, and is open to artists on an international scale. Truly multifaceted, the 92Y Jewelry Center is a New York City gem with an increasingly global profile.

The 92Y Jewelry Artist Residency Program is supported by Kathy Chazen.