Maru Lopez

Contemporary Jewelry

Artist's Statement

I am inspired by the extraordinary of the ordinary, by the laziness of long lunches, the excitement of new places, and the universe that is a book. I look to everyday objects, ancient jewelry, ceramics and textiles for sparks that ignite my imagination and I thrive and grow from the community of people that I call friends.

Bio

Maru Lopez is a Puerto Rican jewelry artist currently based in San Diego, California. Her bold and colorful pieces have been exhibited in galleries and museums through Europe, Latin America, the United States and her home island of Puerto Rico.

Education

2020-present	Warren Wilson College, Asheville, North Carolina \| MA in Critical Craft Studies
2007-2011	Alchimia Scuola di Gioielleria Contemporanea, Firenze, Italia \| Specialization in Contemporary Jewelry, Intensive Course, Foundation Course, Advanced Course with Peter Bauhauis, Specialization Course with Manfred Bischoff, Quaternitas with Ruudt Peters
2002-2003	Parsons School for Design, New York, New York\| A.A.S in Fashion Design
2000-2002	Centro Moda, Escuela De Diseño Lisa Thon, San Juan, Puerto Rico \| Specialization in Fashion Design
1999-2002	Universidad De Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico \| Graduate Studies in 20th century History, Concentration in media studies and consumer culture
1993-1997	Universidad De Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico \| B.A. Concentration in Latin American History

Professional Experience

2019-present	Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, San Diego California \| Lead Engagement Liaison
2012-present	Maru Lopez Jewels, San Diego, California \| Jewelry Designer and Maker
2019	Mingei International Museum \| Resin Jewelry Workshop, Stamped Jewelry Workshop
2019	YMCA Copley-Price \| Cardboard Jewelry for Teens
2019	Art Academy of San Diego, San Diego, California \| Jewelry Instructor
2013-2018	Mingei International Museum, San Diego, California \| Visitor Experience Associate, Bilingual Gallery Educator
2010-2012	Alchimia Scuola di Gioielleria Contemporanea, Firenze, Italia \| Instructor and Assistant to the Director
2003-2007	Fundacion Luis Munoz Marin \| Archivist

Group Exhibitions

2020	Passenger, Munich, Germany Insurgencies: Women's art on the border in the era of the cold war, The Front Arte and Cultura, San Diego, California
2019	Hot Dog Show, Chicago, Illinois Vecinos, II Latin American Biennale of Contemporary Jewelry, Museo Municipal de Arte Decorativo Firma y Odilo Estevez, Rosario, Argentina
2018	Back Again, Forever 37th Annual Jewelry Show, Freehand Gallery, Los Angeles, California Vecinos, II Latin American Biennale of Contemporary Jewelry, Museo de Artes Populares Jose Hernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2017	Jewelry Pop-up, Mingei International Museum, San Diego, California Vinte e Tres: Joalharia Contemporanes na Ibero-America, PIN, Lisboa, Portugal Minimal to Bling, Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, Massachusetts
2016	Tribute to Manfred Bischoff, Munich, Germany American Craft Weekend, solo trunk show and live demo, Mingei International Museum, San Diego, California Jewelry Artist Mart, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota Objects D' Art, Galeria Embajadada, San Juan, Puerto Rico
2015	Alchimia: An Anthology, The Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, Massachusetts Subamos los Colores, Galeria Silvestre, Tarragona, Spain Alchimia Alumni Collective, Joya 2015, Barcelona, Spain
2014	La Frontera, Houston Center for the Contemporary Craft, Houston Texas & Kokomo Gallery, Indiana University, Kokomo, Indiana Art Above San Diego, San Diego, California Surf's Up Trunk Show, Collector's Gallery, Mingei International Museum, San Diego, California
2013	La Frontera, Museo Franz Meyer, Distrito Federal de Mexico, Mexico & Velvet Da Vinci Gallery, San Francisco, California Art Above San Diego, San Diego, California
2012	Premio Fondazione Cominelli per il gioiello contemporaneo, Brescia, Italia
2011	Jewelry is a metaphoric view of the world, Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Athens, Greece Joya 2011, Semana de la Joyeria Contemporanea, Barcelona Taste just like chicken, Quaternitas Mostra, Firenze, Italia Rings, Galerie Maniglod, Leipzig, Germany
2010	Jahresrückblich, Galerie V&V, Vienna, Austria 1x1 Collection, Firenze, Italia VI Giornata del Contemporaneo Rogo della Vanita, Firenze, Italia Grassimesse, Lipzia, Germania ArtOrnamento, Alternatives Gallery, Roma , Italia Joya, Semana de la Joyeria Contemporanea, Barcelona, España Abwandlungen,Umwandlungen,Verwandlungen, Galerie V&V, Vienna, Austria Final Year Exhibition, Antonella Villanova Gallery, Firenze Italia Orecchini, Galerie Manigold, Leipzig, Germany Inhorgenta 2010, Munich Germany Quinta Giornata del Contemporaneo, Firenze, Italia
2009	II Anno, Final Year Exhibition, Alchimia Scuola di Gioielleria Contemporanea, Firenze. Italia
2008	I Anno, Final Year Exhibition, Alchimia Scuola di Gioielleria Contemporanea, Firenze. Italia

Workshops

2019	What is your issue? Kerianne Quick, Haystack School of Crafts, Deer Isle, Maine
2014	Wax carving workshop, Jay Whaley
2012	Textile techniques on metal with Doris Manninger Medieval embroidery techniques with Ulrika Wennerstroem Daily life in the contemporary jewelry creation with Estela Saez Creative wax with Catalina Brenes
2010	Workshop with Robert Smit Workshop with Deganit Schocken Workshop with Ruudt Peters

Awards

2019	Artist Grant William Male Foundation, San Diego, California
2010	Scholarship Alchimia Scuola di Giolleria Contemporanea
2009	Scholarship Alchimia Scuola di Giolleria Contemporanea

Publications

2019	SDVoyager, Communique
2018	Vecinos II Latin American Biennale of Contemporary Jewelry, Exihibition Catalog
2017	Pacific Magazine
2016	Collector's Gallery Lookbook, Mingei International Museum
2015	Sunset Magazine
2014	Artist profile in the Mingei International Museum's summer shopping guide and front page of their winter guide
2013	La Frontera, Exhibition Catalog
2012	Premio Cominelli, Exhibition Catalog
2011	Contemporary.com, Noi 9, Interview #4, Maru Lopez
2010	El Vocero
2007	San Juan Magazine Clothspin El Vocero