Nationality American | Died 1995 | |
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Born 1908 Pratt, Kansas Known for silversmith and jewelry designer | ||
Alma Eikerman spent a lifetime building skills in metalsmithing, silversmithing, and jewelry design and passed that knowledge on to generations of students during her time at Indiana University. She was a founding member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
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Early years and education
Eikerman was born in rural Pratt, Kansas, one of seven children. She earned her undergraduate degree in 1934 in history, literature, and language from Kansas State and began her career as a public school teacher. It was in her graduate studies at Kansas University that she focused on design and painting and took her first jewelry courses. Eikerman transferred to Columbia University to complete her graduate degree in 1942 in painting, design, art history, and metalsmithing.
Career
At Wichita State University, Eikerman began teaching design and jewelry design. She developed her skills in metalsmithing and also worked for the Red Cross during this time, serving in Italy during World War II (1944-1945.) In 1947, after returning to the U.S., she was asked to join the faculty at Indiana University. Interest and enrollment in classes related to metal and jewelry began to grow and Eikerman worked to establish a strong department at the school. This dedication to the development of the program helped motivate Eikerman to expand her personal skills and knowledge, perusing opportunities to study with renown metalsmiths and silversmiths around the world. She participated in a Handy and Harmon workshop at the Rhode Island School of Design, was accepted to study with Karl Gustav Hansen in his Koldig, Denmark, studio where she worked with master craftsman Henrick Boesen. In 1948 she moved on to Stokholm to study under Erik Fleming and later to Munich to work with Michael Wiler.
Eikerman received the honor of Distinguished Professor from Indiana University before her retirement in 1978 and the American Craft Council's Gold Medal in 1993. She died in 1995.