Leah J. Lang, Award Winning Grad of VCC's Jewelry Art and Design Program.

I have long been a fan of VCC's programs, especially Jewelry Art and Design. The exhibits, usually in the main foyer of the downtown campus, are beautifully displayed and Students, surrounded by Staff and Parents, are articulate and well prepared for creative careers. This time, the Annual Student Exhibition will start Saturday, May 29 and will be displayed for 14 days at VCC's Broadway Campus, 1120 E. 7th. You can see it from 11:00-11:00 along the covered arcade along the North Wall of the building. It is a window exhibit. I am going on Saturday to take some photos because this one, is not to be missed.

Karin Jones, Department Head of Jewelry Art and Design, truly supports her Students becoming well known in the Community and a blog spotlight is one more way to do this.

The first light is Leah J. Lang, tops in her Graduating class. More information via Leah's Instagram at: westcoastmetalproject Thank you, Leah for bringing light into dark times!

About Leah Lang

Q: Where are you from and does this influence your designs? Does identity shape your work?

A: Where I am from is very much a part of what I do. I think, my values and environment are reflected through my creative process which does influence the work.

I grew up in various parts of the west coast including Salt Spring Island. My roots are there. I’ve found the islands a huge source of inspiration. Exploring the lushness of old growth forest, shell midden beaches and twisted arbutus groves. Observing nature when it is left to do what it does best to fully express itself .. is so visually enriching. I have always felt close to the land, and particularly the west coast.

In the summers I tree planted up north to pay for art school. Then completed a BFA at Emily Carr College of Art and Design and UBC followed by studies in Horticulture. After that, gardening for the Vancouver Park Board and eventually became fully absorbed creating in the Vancouver film industry in IATSE 891.

Vancouver has been my home for a while now. The city and its architecture inspires me and has also become an important influence.

Q: Where would you like your jewelry to go? I am thinking, of course, about the commercial aspect, including sales/career ..

A: I will continue to explore and create a body of work and apply to Art Jewelry shows and exhibitions or a gallery. I gravitate more toward an art based perspective rather than creating a brand in commercial production. I see myself making jewelry that is expressive; a bit more unusual and mostly non traditional.. that encourages thought and explores ideas. I tend to think of ‘Jewelry’ as metal art or sculpture on a tiny scale that can be accessible as small wearable pieces of art.

Q: Do you think jewelry is visible on the runways, on tv and in the movies ?

A: Yes, I do think jewelry can be highly visible in a fashion context and in movies especially when it pushes the boundaries of what is expected... and if it raises questions or has a voice and inspires discussion or explores issues. This is when it becomes exciting to me. Jewelry as art is a great medium for this. It might even be interesting to display students Art Jewelry on live models in a similar way as clothing fashion is presented in fashion week. This would encourage visibility ..and the pieces themselves would definitely get larger : )

Q: What has been your favorite part of your time at VCC?

A: Metal Techniques and fabrication of any kind fascinates me... the precision! Learning that one millimeter is actually an incredibly vast space to be explored and respected.

I loved Art History & Design which is the foundation of everything ART, of course! Navigating technical drawing and learning the tips and tricks of drawing gems that give the illusion of being real and visually jumping off of the page. This was pretty great too! Computer design class brought an introduction to the endless possibilities of 3D printing as an invaluable new tool in jewelry and Gemology opened my eyes wide to the world of gems and examining their physical and optical properties and unique identification characteristics.

The two years of the Jewelry Art & Design introduced us to so much material and it went by very fast! The program was challenging and rewarding with excellent professional instruction. I am now looking forward to continuing gemology in the fall and exploring my new skills and expanding on them.

Q: What do you think about the jewelry of architecture? I, Collen think our grey buildings could be more exciting and could be enhanced by 'jewelry'. In keeping with the theme of women and creativity how can jewelry express this?

A: Leah says: ‘Jewelry’ of architecture immediately makes me think of the huge spinning chandelier by Rodney Graham, under the Granville bridge... that is Art Jewelry for buildings ! I love this."

For me architecture is great visual resource in designing jewelry. Vancouver has a lot to offer with our West Coast style, historical and modern buildings, Art Deco, Mid Century and the exciting new post Modern construction we are seeing now in parts of the city. You might have to look for it but it’s all here. I think jewelry, absolutely, can be more than purely aesthetic and offer meaning from wherever you derive your inspiration.