As New York City Jewelry Week 2026 approaches, the global contemporary art jewelry community is preparing for an immersive week of exhibitions, panel discussions, artist talks, and networking events. At the center of much of this activity are the members of the Art Jewelry Forum (AJF), who are stepping up as hosts, organizers, curators, and participants across the city’s vibrant cultural landscape. From major institutional presentations to intimate gallery gatherings, AJF members are helping to shape the dialogue surrounding contemporary adornment, pushing the boundaries of material, concept, and technique.
Art Jewelry Forum has announced a robust lineup of official AJF-led events designed to engage both seasoned collectors and emerging enthusiasts. Among the organization’s marquee offerings is the panel discussion titled "Wear Next? The Many Lives of Art Jewelry," which promises to explore the evolving trajectory, durability, and cultural significance of collectible pieces in the modern era. To foster community and lively debate, AJF is also hosting "Cocktails, Queries, & Karats," a casual happy hour event, alongside an exclusive AJF member dinner designed to bring together practitioners, patrons, and scholars for an evening of celebration during NYCJW26.
As a central hub for this year’s festival, The Jewelry Library will serve as an essential gathering place, hosting a dynamic roster of conversations, panels, author readings, and celebratory receptions. Among the highlights at the Library is Doris Chou-Durfee’s exhibition, "Does This Make Sense?", which will be accompanied by an opening party and an intimate gallery walk-through with the artist. Additional programming at the venue includes "The Power of Two: Collaboration in Contemporary Jewelry," a panel exploring the creative outcomes of joint artistic ventures, and "Bodyworks: The Jewelry of Art Smith," a visual presentation honoring the legacy of the pioneering modernist jeweler. Visitors to the Library can also attend a reading by author Anna Rasche for "The Cursed Diamond," a conversation between Jerry and Steven, and repeat sessions of AJF’s core programming, including the "Wear Next?" panel and the "Cocktails, Queries, & Karats" happy hour.
The breadth of AJF member involvement extends far beyond the central hub, reflecting the diverse geographic and conceptual reach of the organization’s international network. Adriane Dalton is contributing to the discourse with her conversation, "Storytelling, Nurturing the Field," which has also been selected as an official stop on the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) NYCJW Gallery Crawl. Ali Vedad Yuner is presenting "Hand to Form," an art-to-wear exhibition accompanied by an opening ceremony and a critical discussion titled "Hand to Form: The Language of Making." Amanda Paige is participating through the international jewelry exhibition "Fluid Beauties," while Angela Caldwell curates the aesthetic tensions of minimalism and maximalism in "Between Extremes."
Exploration of cultural heritage, material evolution, and historical context forms a prominent theme across multiple member projects. Annette Dam and Biba Schutz are showcasing their collaborative exhibition, "Crown Jewels as a Metaphor," which explores royal iconography through contemporary conceptual lenses with an opening reception supported by international figures like Sofia Björkman of Platina and Tamara Marbl Joka. Barbara Heinrich is participating in the American Jewelry Design Council’s retrospective exhibition, "Evolution of a Jewel: AJDC In Retrospect," alongside a corresponding panel discussion on the evolution of jewelry design. Meanwhile, Bella Neyman, founder of NYC Jewelry Week, is leading discussions titled "10,000 Hours or What Drives Craft?" and "Poetry in Craftsmanship," the latter offering exclusive press-ticket access for credentialed journalists.
Brooklyn Metal Works co-founders Brian Weissman, Erin Daly, and their team are anchoring a significant presence in Brooklyn with "Anonymous Brooklyn," an exhibition accompanied by a viewing party, a stone-set ring jewelry-making demonstration, and inclusion on the SNAG gallery crawl route. Institutional engagement remains strong, with Cranbrook Academy of Art—represented by faculty and community members such as Iris Eichenberg, Jimena Ríos, Lucrecia Bertelli, Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, and Sergio Aziza—collaborating on multiple fronts, including the "Storytelling, Nurturing the Field" conversation, a joint program titled "Jewelry in Community: Cranbrook + Eloi," and the belt buckle exhibition "Hold Your Pants Up" hosted at the Pratt Institute Steuben Gallery.
Additional individual and collective highlights showcase the immense variety of the field. Elena Karpilova presents "Minsk to Lisbon: Finding a Sense of Home," blending a shop and conversation format. Felieke van der Leest joins the "Crown Jewels as a Metaphor" presentation. Gallery Loupe marks its 20th anniversary with a comprehensive exhibition and shopping experience at Reracked, alongside a series of high-profile conversations featuring Steven KP and Keith Lewis, coffee and color discussions with Rachelle Thiewes, and a deep dive into "Coreen Simpson: The Black Cameo Legend." The Heidi Lowe Gallery returns with its popular annual exhibition, "Earrings Galore," supported by opening and happy hour receptions featuring makers such as Kerianne Quick, Louise Perrone, Raïssa Bump, and Sharon Massey.
Jamie Bennett’s extensive engagement includes a dedicated artist talk titled "Jamie Bennett: Coloring Outside the Lines," the "Thinking in Color" exhibition, a "Bubbles & Bennett" reception featured on the SNAG gallery crawl, and participation in the "10,000 Hours of Craft" conversation alongside Marion Delarue. Jennifer Altmann contributes to discussions on collaboration and experimental eating formats. Jill Herlands presents "Material Matters: What Is Jewelry Made Of?" paired with a champagne reception. Lisa M. Berman and the Wearable Art Museum present "Be a Catalyst for Conversation" and its accompanying panel "Visual Voices," while Lorena Lazard and her students mount the exhibition "meX." Lynn Batchelder explores tactile concepts in "Slow Matter," and Michele Cottler Fox contributes to the "Crown Jewels as a Metaphor" project.
The Pratt Institute serves as an institutional powerhouse for the week, hosting open studios, library cuff displays, and an extensive roster of student and alumni showcases, including the "Continuum RIT Student + Alumni Show," "Achievement Unlocked," "Get Lucked," and "[queerphoria] volume 6: restoration," organized by the Queer Metalsmiths. Sarah Retallick of Rago x Wright is hosting a preview reception for "The Collection of Ed Wiener," while Tanya Crane presents "UrbanSparkle" at UrbanGlass. Toni Greenbaum offers her expertise on Art Smith, and the University of Georgia Lamar Dodd School of Art contributes to the "Preoccupations" exhibition series.
Art Jewelry Forum encourages all members participating in NYCJW26 to ensure their events are listed through the organization’s official submission portal to maintain visibility in ongoing newsletters and on the AJF website. Membership inquiries can be directed to Danielle at AJF, as the organization continues to champion the vital contributions of makers, curators, and writers dedicated to advancing the art jewelry discipline on a global stage.
