Barbara McFadyen is a metalsmith and enamelist who has been designing jewelry in gold, silver, and enamel for over four decades.
Born in Morristown, New Jersey in 1952, Barbara received her BA in Visual Arts from Eckerd College. After many years in the field of art jewelry, Barbara realized her dream of a masters degree and was awarded her MFA in Metal Design from East Carolina University in 2017.
Enameling and metalwork have become her lifelong passion. Barbara first discovered the art of enameling at Kulicke Starke Academy in NYC in 1978 and has continued her in depth studies with many notable enamelists including Bill Helwig, Martha Banyas, Jamie Bennett, Linda Darty, Mi-Sook Hur, Jan Harrell, and Barbara Minor.
A summer in Japan with Parsons School of Design in 1981, became a life changing experience that confirmed her affinity to the art of Japan and its aesthetic, shibusa: a unique style that embodies the subtle, unobtrusive beauty and deep connection to the flux of nature.
Her award-winning work has been recognized through exhibitions with the American Crafts Council, the Smithsonian Institution, Society of North American Goldsmiths, the Enamelist Society, the Mint, and Metal Museum. Recent international exhibitions include the Romanian Jewelry Week, Slovenian Jewelry Week, the Crafts Council of British Columbia, and The Japan Enamel Artists Association.
Barbara finds inspiration and joy through sharing her knowledge with others. She has led numerous workshops both nationally and internationally at fine craft schools and universities, including Arrowmont School of Crafts, Peter’s Valley, Penland School of Craft, Pocosin School of Fine Craft, Haystack Mountain School of Craft, John C. Campbell Folk School, ECU Tuscany, Kobe Design University, and Yamawki Design School in Tokyo, Japan.
Outside of her studio practice, Barbara joined the Enamelist Society’s Board of Directors in 2020 and currently serves as Vice President. She also enjoys promoting the field of enameling and art jewelry through curating a variety of gallery exhibitions.
Barbara exhibits and sells her work at fine shops and galleries throughout the Southeast including Creative Metalsmiths in Chapel Hill, Rings True in Carrboro, Greenhill Center for Art in Greensboro, Piedmont Craftsmen in Winston Salem, Penland Gallery in Penland, NC, and the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN. Barbara’s work can be found in the collections of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art, the Crocker Museum, the Mint, the Metal Museum, and the Yale University Art Gallery.
In 2022, Barbara completed her dream of building a dedicated jewelry studio and space to collaborate with others. Inspired and surrounded by the beauty of nature on a 50 acre farm, she continues to passionately pursue her studio practice, creating bespoke jewelry commissions, one-of-a-kind pieces, and limited edition jewelry designs.
On the farm, Barbara enjoys nature walks with her dog, Bodhi and shares the practice of Beekeeping and raising chickens with her husband Douglass Phillips. When relaxing at home, she enjoys playing the piano and relishes spending time with her 4 children and 6 grandchildren.
THE ENAMEL ARTS FOUNDATION PROFILE
