Maureen Duffy

Maureen Duffy is a jewelry designer, artist and teacher living and working in the heart of South Philadelphia. She graduated from Moore College of Art and Design in 2005 with a degree in 3D Fine Arts with a concentration in the Studio of Metals, and had such a passion for working in metal that she immediately continued her graduate studies at SUNY New Paltz. While working on her graduate degree, Maureen taught two semesters of beginners metals classes and two semesters of basic design classes to undergraduates. After graduating in December 2007, she returned to Philadelphia and began teaching jewelry and metals continuing education and youth artist workshops at Moore College of Art and Design for the following four years. During that time she also worked as a bench jeweler and assistant designer at J & I Jewelry, located on Fabric Row in Queen Village. Maureen worked for J & I for six years, with the exception of a 6-month leave of absence in 2013 to be a temporary full-time assistant professor at Millersville University, teaching all levels of metals students and 3D basic design. Since 2007, she has been actively showing and selling her work at galleries, boutiques and craft shows.

Artist Statement:
Urban landscapes supply a neverending array of patterns and textures. I have always been in love with city life and imagery. I am inspired by the culture, diversity, and the energy that the city provides. As I move through the streets, I observe the common patterns that exist while appreciating the unique character that each block contains. Fences, bricks, cracks, and abandoned objects all provide visual inspiration to create wearable architectural elements.

My workshops are designed to not only create a cool new piece of jewelry but also a unique experience. It takes a lot of skill, knowledge, and tools to make jewelry that can survive the test of time. One of my favorite parts about learning and teaching techniques using traditional jeweler’s tools is that it takes a lot of time and patience. We are so removed from how things are made that it’s my hope for my workshops to not only be fun but to also broaden a person’s awareness of how much something is worth in time and material. There is always a maker big or small behind everything we consume.