In Remembrance

Longtime goldsmith Phil London passed away late last month. Phil was not only the founder and longtime president of the Florida Society of Goldsmiths, he founded the Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths, as well as founded the non-profit, Disability Alternatives, which taught jewelry arts to those with physical limitations. Phil London was the second person to be awarded The National Metalsmiths Hall of Fame award which honors and celebrates the outstanding contributions and achievements of artists, educators and patrons that support the metal arts as well as receiving the PMC Fusion award for his work with Disability Alternatives. Phil is survived by his wife Vickie London.

Jeweler, sculptor, and teacher, Florence Resnikoff, passed away in early April. Born in 1920, Resnikoff began exploring jewelry and enameling through adult education courses while working as a registered medical technician in Chicago in the 1940s. After moving to Palo Alto in the early ‘50s, her work grew in leaps and bounds. Resnikoff met Margaret de Patta through the Metal Arts Guild of San Francisco, who became a significant influence in her work. She returned to school, receiving her BFA in Sculpture from the California College of Arts and Crafts, and an MFA in Art from San Jose State University. She also furthered her studies at the Royal College of Art, and with Stanley Lechtzin at Tyler School of Art.

The legendary blacksmith, L. Brent Kington passed away on Thursday February 7. Brent was one of the founding members of SNAG, the first SNAG President, and the recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Grosse Pointe Park resident Clare Morison died Sunday, December 2, 2012, at the age of 66. Clare was pre-deceased by her long-time partner, Phillip Fike, professor and head of the Metal Arts Department at Wayne State University, and a founding member of SNAG.