The Jewelry Arts Institute has been committed to researching, preserving and teaching the jewelry making techniques of the Classical Period for over 20 years, passing on these nearly lost traditions to students from all corners of the world.

The vision of founder, Robert M. Kulicke, who originally established the school as Kulicke-Stark Academy, has been carried on by his former student and master goldsmith, Bessie Jamieson, who is now President of the Jewelry Arts Institute.

The Jewelry Arts Institute, the first school of its kind, attracts students from all walks of life, some who will pursue a career in jewelry design and others who simply love to recreate the jewels of antiquity.

Bessie Jamieson
Director and President

Ms. Jamieson, who apprenticed under Robert Kulicke, co-founder of the Kulicke-Stark Academy, has been teaching and producing classically inspired jewelry for 25 years.

Since 1987 Ms. Jamieson has been the president/director of the Jewelry Arts Institute -- the direct descendent of Kulicke-Stark. She is represented by the Davis and Langdale Gallery in New York City, and has had an annual show for the last 19 years.

Robert M. Kulicke
( 1924 - 2007 )

Robert M. Kulicke, the painter and framemaker, had a long time interest in ancient jewelry, first as a collector, then as a craftsman.

In the late 1950's he researched and developed techniques for Byzantine enamels and then used this technology to translate his and other artists' work into cloisonné enamels. This led to an interest in all ancient jewelry techniques and eventually, he and his partner Jean Stark, began the Kulicke-Stark Academy of Jewelry Art in 1974.

Over the next 12 years they, along with their apprentices and teachers, perfected and taught the classical techniques taught in their school and now at the Jewelry Arts Institute.

Instructors:

Betsy Lawson, Jeanette Caines, Daphne Groos, Renee Tricarico, Sami Zeira, Grace Colangelo, Michele Delville, Bianca Lopez, Danyell Rascoe, Jake Kantrow, Terrie Servos and Michael Ellis

The instructors at the Jewelry Arts Institute are all master goldsmiths who have been trained at Kulicke-Stark or the Jewelry Arts Institute. In addition to teaching they all design and produce jewelry for galleries in New York and elsewhere.

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