Because now, as always, jewelry sends important signals about its wearer's identity and degree of sophistication. All of them, whether precious or funky, qualify as urban ethnic. If you think contemporary urban America is too diverse to have a collective identity, think of the environment that shapes us. Think of automobiles, television, fast food, paved streets, and the ever present possibility of violence. We have a conglomerate ethnic identity, one that is inclusive rather than exclusive.
Contemporary jewelry is one of the ways it is expressed.
Facere owner Karen Lorene first brought jewelry by nationally known artists to the attention of the Seattle art world a dozen years ago. Each year, she hires a curator to organize a fresh and special jewelry exhibition. Facere always has work available by some of the Northwest's best-known jewelry artists. One of the most distinguished is Mary Lee Hu, head of the jewelry program at the University of Washington, who fabricates intricate woven-gold bracelets and necklaces that have won national acclaim. Artists' jewelry can show up in special exhibitions in nearly any art gallery.