Society of North American Goldsmiths

The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) was founded in 1969. It is an international nonprofit organization that serves as the primary organization of jewelers and metal artists in North America. Anyone interested in the related fields may become a member. Members include independent studio artists, teachers, students, gallerists, collectors, curators, and writers.

SNAG is responsible for several major projects which contribute to the field: the publication of Metalsmith magazine, an annual conference (2013 will be hosted in Toronto, Ontario, Canada), a newsletter (SNAGnews), a listserve (SNAGnet), and a website. All of these resources and events combine to document the work in the fields of jewelry, design, and metal arts; helping to foster a vibrant, professional artistic community.

Founded in 1969, following a first meeting 1968. The original nine gold and silversmiths, called together by Philip Morton, were: Robert Ebendorf, Phillip Fike, Hero Keilman, Brent Kington, Stanley Lechtzin, Kurt Matzdorf, Ron Pearson, Olaf Skoogfors, and of course Morton.

In 1969, eighteen metalsmiths chose the name, planned the first conference and exhibition for 1970 in St. Paul, MN, and determined the long-range goals. There were criteria for membership (it was not an open guild): • Proven professionalism • Outstanding creative achievement in metal work • Contributions to the field for other than creative work

Have produced 41 conferences (Toronto will be the 42nd), with the first one in 1970.

Have produced an estimated 30 exhibitions, with the first one in 1970. The most recent were “The Art of Gold” curated by Michael Monroe, which traveled for three years, and "Framing the Art of Jewelry," curated by Ellen Lupton at SOFA Chicago in 2007. In October 2012, SNAG will host their first online exhibition "The Body Adorned" on their website.

Previous conferences were held in the following cities:

1970: Brent Kington, President, Robert Ebendorf, Vice President, Hero Keilman, Secretary/Treasurer, Fred Fenster, Stanley Lechtzin, Miye Matsukata, Kurt Matzdorf, Al Pine, Harold Stacey

1971: Brent Kington, President, Robert Ebendorf, Vice President, Hero Keilman, Secretary/Treasurer, Alma Eikerman, Fred Fenster, Kurt Matzdorf, Harold Stacey

1972: Brent Kington, President, Robert Ebendorf, Vice President, Hero Keilman, Secretary/Treasurer, Fred Fenster, Kurt Matzdorf, Miye Matsukata

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