BIOGRAPHY

Sheridan Conrad was born in Oklahoma, referred to often, as the heartland of America. It is a rural state that’s philosophy is we belong to the land. Acres in which you can see for miles, Sheridan loved the open invitation to explore as a child. Her influences are the feeling of being close to nature as its roots are an integral part of her art. Other influences on her work, as a jewelry designer, are her extended travels to other parts of the world. During her early formative days in college at the University of Arkansas, while studying architecture, she enrolled in a jewelry-making class. Her destination was transformed and she became a jewelry designer. Upon graduation, her first job was in the jewelry Industry, hired as a bench jeweler and designer. Gemological Institute of America provided additional training to draw jewelry, grade diamonds, gemstones, and pearls. She opened a studio and gallery in 2008 where she taught classes and showcased other local jewelers in the historic Paseo Arts District. In 2017, while traveling to Italy to study an ancient technique called chasing and repousse, it became clear to return to home and close the gallery to devote all her time to making jewelry. Sheridan works in her home studio on 2 acres of land in Oklahoma which she shares with her husband Gary, and her two dogs, Karma and Buddy.

ARTIST INSIGHTS

How are your background and life experiences connected to your art?

My background and experiences are footprints of my journey in life. There is an interconnectedness between the two, as they cannot be separated. My artistic expression is a representation of my life, whether from my wooded surroundings in which I live or my studies abroad.

Who are some of your biggest artistic influences?

The person who inspired me more than anyone else was someone I never had the pleasure to meet, Rene Lalique. He was born in Ay Marne, France on April 6, 1860, and died May 1, 1945, dying well before I was born. His work is best known as Lalique glass but his earlier artistic expression was nature in jewelry.

How have you developed your artist career?

My artist career developed from my early childhood when I enjoyed art camps and classes, as well as local cultural experiences visiting museums. As an adult, I pursued my interests further by attending several different colleges, becoming a member of the varied artist communities, teaching, and creating a jewelry contemporary gallery. My love of traveling to different countries, visiting museums, and experiencing different cultures has had a profound impact on the development of my art.

What does your artistic work intend to communicate to its audience?

Handmade art is a craft that takes years to learn the necessary skillset. Each wearer of my jewelry becomes an additional part of the story, one that can be cherished from generation to generation. My work is not just a piece of jewelry, rather, it is a piece of art intended to give the wearer and observer something unique.

Does your work comment on any current social or political issues?

Oftentimes I will create special series or exhibits that have social commentary. The most recent was in 2021 when I had a show exhibiting insect-influenced jewelry, commenting on our tiny friends’ positive influence and necessary benefit to our society.

Do you have a particular story that stands out from your career as an artist?

One of the pivotal points in my career came while I was attending college. I was enrolled in studies to become an architect, and on a lark, I selected a jewelry-making class as an elective. I fell in love with the craft and to my surprise, I later discovered that my grandfather, who died well before I was born, had owned six jewelry stores in the state and surrounding states where I grew up.

Which current art world trends are you following?

I do not follow the trends of the jewelry industry, rather, I listen to the inspirations of my spirit as I create my handmade pieces.

Why have you chosen to sell your work in the 1515 Lincoln Gallery?

1515 Lincoln Gallery has created a sense of an artist’s family among the artists who it represents, and it fosters local and international relationships within our community.

What do you believe makes 1515 Lincoln Gallery distinct from other galleries?

1515 Lincoln Gallery uniquely represents a world community of artists of varied mediums, nationalities, genders, and ages, an eclectic mixture of artistic voices. 1515 Lincoln Gallery is a testament to the varied languages of art which transverses all boundaries.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

I make modern unique jewelry using ancient metalsmithing techniques. Much of my work is hand-fabricated using ancient techniques to form an expression through the transformation of the metals. I alloy my own gold, assuring its purity level, as well as recycling my own scraps. Many of the tools I use are made by my own hand, which transform my pieces into one-of-a-kind wearable works of art.

SHERIDAN CONRAD’S AVAILABLE ART

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