The Department of Art and Design has teamed with the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center to host the Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) exhibition Jan. 27-Feb. 21 and the First Friday Art Walk Feb. 7, 6-9 p.m.

The RJM exhibition is free and open to the public. All pieces on display are for sale.

Telling new stories with old jewelry

The exhibit features reimagined jewelry created by students and local jewelers, highlighting the combination of artistry, sustainability and community engagement. By showcasing the transformation of old, donated pieces into stunning new designs, this inspiring project advocates for sustainable and ethical jewelry-making practices.

Working together, students and local jewelers repurposed donated jewelry into meaningful pieces to tell new stories. This hands-on process also included tracking donor information to distribute discount coupons for the January sale of the final designs.

“This initiative highlights one of the project’s core goals: ensuring that donated materials return to the world in a new form,” said Jina Seo, art and design faculty member who is overseeing the RJM project.

Open-ended design process

Students spent the Fall 2024 semester engaged in all stages of the jewelry transformation process.

After sorting materials, they channeled their creativity into crafting necklaces, brooches, rings and bracelets. Using an open-ended design process, students found inspiration in the colors, textures and histories of the jewelry pieces.

“Each student gathered a bag full of both costume jewelry parts and precious materials without a set design in mind to begin with,” Seo explained. “Then, they went through the materials and found elements that spoke to them as a starting point.”

Raising environmental awareness

According to Seo, the RJM project raises awareness about the environmental and ethical challenges of traditional mining practices. By transforming discarded jewelry into art, it offers a compelling alternative to conventional production methods, she said.

“RJM draws attention to the creativity and skills of students and local jewelry designers, reveals the stories behind our personal collections and encourages re-consideration of our habits of consumption,” Seo said.

The project also showcases student talent and emphasizes the collaborative effort behind jewelry creation. Designers, makers and the community come together in a process that values sustainability.

For more information, contact the Department of Art and Design at 417-837-2330.

Here is just some of the jewelry on display and available for sale at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.

Photos courtesy of Department of Art and Design.

Sam Barnette is a writer for the Department of Art and Design. She holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Missouri State’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film and is working toward an MS in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling at Truman State University.