Julia M. Barello
Associate Professor
Metalsmithing & Jewelry
MFA, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1992
BA, Fairhaven College, Western Washington University, 1985
My research focuses primarily on body adornment and the resulting construction of meaning through supplements to the body. I’m also very interested in objects that speak to ideas of utility and function. My notion of what is included within the field of jewelry and metalsmithing is a vast and inclusive definition framed by the above ideas. Metalsmithing attracted me as a young artist because I felt there was room to explore these ideas without being limited by form, materials, scale or technique, and as a teacher I strive to leave all doors open for my students’ individual exploration.
The overriding goal of the metals courses is to encourage students to develop their own vocabulary of materials, techniques and ideas. This is accomplished through a range of experiences that include workshops with visiting artists, slide presentations, technical demonstrations, research projects and field trips to exhibitions and conferences. I consider myself a hands-on instructor, and gain some of my greatest satisfaction as a teacher from the process of brainstorming and refining ideas with my students. I foster a classroom environment that is challenging, cooperative, and rich with stimulation, and encourage students to experiment and take risks with their work while developing solid conceptual and technical skills. The newly remodeled and expanded metals studio provides comprehensive equipment for many metalsmithing processes, which allows students to gain a good grounding in technique. It is my ultimate goal as a teacher to enable students to refine their own artistic voice and give them the skills to continue their work once they have left school.
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