Allyson Hayes
ARTIST BIO
I grew up on a river in the lush south born of a rich Afro/Native American heritage with strong family roots. These blends of cultures again mixed with the modern American culture have manifested in me a natural desire for true independent expression in life. Iām driven by the sensual experience
of life through the rhythms of nature and mysterious interactions of the elements. I moved to NYC for 20 years working as a model, audio engineering technical assistant, bartender extraordinaire and finally an independent metals studio artist. I earned a degree in Studio Metalsmithing & Jewelry Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. The traditional foundation of that program gave me knowledge of materials, production, studio skills and business management. I balanced that foundation with focused, artistically based technique/aesthetic workshops at top craft schools such as Penland School of Craft & Peter's Valley Craft Center with leading studio jewelry/metalsmithing artists. Having been originally self-taught in jewelry making I have always kept a strong sense of my design aesthetic and experimentation at the basis of my work. I had until recently maintained a studio since 2001 in the DUMBO & Williamsburg arts districts of Brooklyn, NYC producing my lines as well as sub-contracting production from some of NYC's hottest young designers to it's oldest jewelry companies. All the varied experiences, skills gained, friends made and miles traveled have led me somewhere completely new and challenging at this stage in my career. I just purchased and relocated my home and studio to a ghost town in the desert hill country of southern New Mexico. I live in a 100 year old adobe house with a 40' steel cargo container for a studio. Rattlesnakes, Owls, Coyotes, many other artists and old west people are now my neighbors. There is a rich arts community and audience as well as the raw desert beauty and rustic lifestyle to inspire me.
