The Online Reflector

A jewelry art exhibit named “Neo Rococo” opened on April 5 in Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center and will remain on display every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through April 30. The jewelry is created from rocks and shells interpreted in contemporary jewelry design.

The exhibit features work from seven different artists from across the country including Helen Bythe-Hart, Tracy Lee Black, Carolyn Springer, Jennifer Howard Kicinski, Jim Cotter, Molly Gabbard and Randy Long.

Associate and Adjunct Professor for the University of Indianapolis Carolyn Springer created the “Neo Rococo” theme and brought in the other artists for the exhibit.

“My husband and I took a trip to Versailles and I was really inspired by the Rococo architecture and furniture there,” Springer said.

Springer said “rococo” is a combination of the words of rock and “coco, ”meaning shell. These materials became the inspiration for the exhibit as artists used only shells, gemstones and rocks for their pieces.

The combination of creams, pastel pinks and teals resembled an ocean-esque theme that went with the different shells and rocks one can imagine finding while walking on the beach.

One of the best examples of this is Springer’s “Tidepool Ring,” a combination of sterling silver, 18 karats gold, 14 karats gold, shells, sea glass and resin. The large ring’s gold, cream and orange colors with the white seashell perfectly displayed the “Neo Rococo” idea.

Jim Cotter’s “Untitled” ring also exemplified this idea with its thick band of river rock, 14 karats yellow gold trim and large grey cultured button pearl at the top.

Despite all the artists being non-students, there was still a lot of University of Indianapolis student involvement in the project.

Senior visual communication design major Christy Fulk created the exhibition brochure and branding which included postcards, the show logotype and all promotion materials.

In addition, student manager of the costume shop Stephanie Kucsera helped create all the displays for the art by hand-sewing all of the pillows used to set the jewelry on.

Finally, the exhibition designer created the overall design of the exhibit. The Martha Stewart-inspired layout of the gallery included both displays of the jewelry laid on satin pillows with ribbon around them and paintings by the artists on the walls.

“I really enjoyed this entire exhibit,” said junior pre-art therapy major Kristin Granath. “I thought it was very captivating and thought-provoking.”
The exhibit is open to all students and there is no admission to enter the gallery located in Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.