Barbara Knuth '07

Barbara Knuth graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and an emphasis on Metalsmithing and Jewelry.

What made you want to pursue a degree in this field?
“I walked by the jewelry lab and was drawn to it.  I ended up loving working with metal and was very inspired by my instructor, Teresa Faris. Making art and jewelry out of metal became my passion and reminded me of working with my father growing up.”

What was your favorite part about attending UW-Whitewater?
“The metalsmithing/ jewelry program.”

How did your UW-Whitewater experience prepare you for your career or transform your life?
“It completely changed my life. For a while I was lost, but I found my way to the Department of Art and Design after taking a semester off to explore majors. I gained my first teaching experiences in the UW-Whitewater jewelry lab and now I have a career as a metalsmithing / jewelry instructor in Seattle, WA.”

Where are you at in your career now?
“I’m doing really well. I am head of a full-time high school jewelry program.”

What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
“Getting a full-time teaching position in metalsmithing/ jewelry.”

Awards?
“In 2015 I was the recipient of the Emerging Artist Award in Seattle.”

What advice would you give your former self?
“Don’t give up, it will work out eventually even though it doesn’t seem like it now.  You will be okay, you will find success.”

What advice would you give your future self?
“Remember where you came from and how hard you worked to get where you are now. Don’t take anything for granted.”

What advice would you give to a potential UW-Whitewater Art and Design student?
“Try it out! What are you interested in? Take the class and try out a major. If you don’t like it you can try something else. It’s not a waste of time to decide you don’t want to do something as your career.”

Learn more about the Art and Design Degree Programs