Pleiades is made up of a core group of women jewelry/metals artists and a changing roster of guest artists for each year's November show.
Pleiades was formed in 1985 by 7 local women jewelry artists looking
for a way to showcase their art and gain recognition. The initial group; Haesun Chung (Meon), Deborah Dubois, Joan Levy, Desiree
Midgett, Pat Perito, Judy Sugar and Marie Susinno produced their first show in the Garrett Park Town Hall. Over time the show grew and evolved, eventually moving to the Women’s Club of Bethesda on Old Georgetown Road.
No longer just seven sisters as implied by its constellation namesake, Pleiades has grown to 19 women, primarily all local artists, who create quality hand-crafted jewelry and metalwork. A juried student booth was added to give new student jewelers a mentored opportunity to participate in a retail show. Over time more than 80 artists have participated in Pleiades — all women. The work has included one-of-a-kind silver and gold pieces; with gemstones, dichroic glass, beads, paper and enamels, along with silver flatware, vessels and table sculpture.
The women of Pleiades are represented in numerous private collections and museums, including the Renwick Museum of Contemporary Art and Craft in Washington, D.C. 2014 marks the 29th Anniversary of that first show. Two of the original members, Pat Perito and Judy Sugar, will be joined by members; Cindy Calahan, Sue Garten, Jan Maddox, Jan Mandel, Odaybea Morrow, Carol Oshinsky and guests; Jessica Beels, Rachel Carren, Nella Fischer, Gayle Friedman, Courtney Gillen, Lori Gottlieb, Stacey Krantz, EunJu Lee, Sue Sachs and Sandra Zacharia. Two students, Robin Bass and Denisa Piatti-Funfkirchen will round out this year's collection of talented women. On sabbatical this year are members; Pamela Hill-Byrne, Betty Helen Longhi and Mary Ellen Trozzo.
No longer just seven sisters as implied by its constellation namesake, Pleiades has grown to 19 women, primarily all local artists, who create quality hand-crafted jewelry and metalwork. A juried student booth was added to give new student jewelers a mentored opportunity to participate in a retail show. Over time more than 80 artists have participated in Pleiades — all women. The work has included one-of-a-kind silver and gold pieces; with gemstones, dichroic glass, beads, paper and enamels, along with silver flatware, vessels and table sculpture.
The women of Pleiades are represented in numerous private collections and museums, including the Renwick Museum of Contemporary Art and Craft in Washington, D.C. 2014 marks the 29th Anniversary of that first show. Two of the original members, Pat Perito and Judy Sugar, will be joined by members; Cindy Calahan, Sue Garten, Jan Maddox, Jan Mandel, Odaybea Morrow, Carol Oshinsky and guests; Jessica Beels, Rachel Carren, Nella Fischer, Gayle Friedman, Courtney Gillen, Lori Gottlieb, Stacey Krantz, EunJu Lee, Sue Sachs and Sandra Zacharia. Two students, Robin Bass and Denisa Piatti-Funfkirchen will round out this year's collection of talented women. On sabbatical this year are members; Pamela Hill-Byrne, Betty Helen Longhi and Mary Ellen Trozzo.
Please join us November 15-16, 11am-5pm at the Women's Club of Bethesda, 5500 Sonoma Road, Bethesda MD (Just south of the beltway on the corner of Old Georgetown and Sonoma Roads). Admission is free.
