"Searching for Easter Island" by Ralph Scorza

Two of Shepherdstown Artist Ralph Scorza’s works were honored at the artist awards reception for the Creative Crafts Council 27th Biennial Exhibition on Thursday, June 4th at the Mansion at Strathsmore in North Bethesda. Scorza’s sculpture Searching for Easter Island was awarded first place in the mixed media division and the sterling brooch, Refugee, was awarded an honorable mention in the metals division.

Nine Washington Area guilds comprise the Creative Crafts Council including the Washington Goldsmith Guild of which Scorza is a member. The Creative Crafts Council 27th Biennial Juried Exhibition runs through July 11 at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike in North Bethesda (easy access from the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro).

Scorza’s work is also on exhibit in the 77th Annual Cumberland Valley Artists Exhibition at the Washington County Museum of Fine Art in Hagerstown June 6-August 16, reception June 21st beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Both exhibitions include Scorza’s new genre of work in which wearable jewelry is incorporated into sculptural works. When not worn the jewelry pieces are integral components of the sculptures. Materials include gold, silver, semi-precious stones, woolly mammoth ivory, wood, shell, coral, and amber.

Scorza has exhibited his work at Ricco Gallery and other Shepherdstown art venues.

ABOVE: Polynesian navigational charts inspired Searching for Easter Island for which Scorza was awarded first place in the mixed media division of Creative Crafts Council 27th Biennial Exhibition.