For Immediate Release (May
26, 2003)
SAS
Artisan Heikki Seppä Receives 2003 Silversmith's Lifetime
Achievement Award
The Society of American Silversmiths (SAS) is excited to announce its fourth recipient of The Hans Christensen Sterling Silversmith's Award, the most prestigious award in the field. SAS Artisan Heikki Seppä, 76, of Bainbridge Isle, WA, was chosen from nominations sent to this year's selection committee: William Frederick, SAS Artisan and 2001 Award winner, Harold Schremmer, SAS Artisan & 2000 Award winner, and Advisor: Jeffrey Herman.
Seppä's complete biography and selected sterling objects he created can be seen on the Society's Web site at http://www.silversmithing.com, where you will also find information on Hans Christensen.
About the Award
The award is named after the late Hans Christensen, silversmith at Georg Jensen Silversmithy in Denmark, and Professor of Silversmithing at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York. The annual award honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the field.
Fenster receives a full size sterling and walnut planishing hammer patterned after a 50th birthday present given to Hans in 1974 by his students. The hammer head is hand engraved: Hans Christensen Sterling Silversmith's Award, May 25, 2002, Heikki Seppä, A Sterling Silversmith. The hammer was created by Thomas Sandretto, former student and originator of the award. The sterling letters "HC" for Hans Christensen, and "HS" for Heikki Seppä, were created by Jill Kinik, former student, and David Pimentel, also a former student of Hans's, created the walnut base and support arms in sterling. Additional sponsors including Jim Chal, Chuck Evans, Jill Kenik, David Pimentel, and Tom Sandretto lent both financial and creative assistance. Also presented to Seppä was a framed certificate.
Who is Eligible? (1) Any silversmith who is a United States citizen, (2) academics, professionals, and those working in the industry, (3) the nominee must be at least 50 years of age and a practicing silversmith for at least 20 years, (4) the silversmith must be living.
The Society of American Silversmiths was founded in April 1989 as the nation's only professional organization devoted solely to the preservation and promotion of contemporary silversmithing. In addition to an outstanding benefits package, all members have access to the Society's technical and marketing expertise through its free consulting service to members. Its Artisan members, those silversmiths who have been juried into the Society based on their outstanding technical skill, are provided with support, networking, and greater access to the market. The SAS Artisan member archive contains a maker's mark registry, over 1,400 slides and 400 photographs, and a resume for each Artisan member.
Through SAS, the public has access to a unique referral service that commissions silver holloware, flatware, and sculpture from its Artisans. The SAS Web site (http://www.silversmithing.com) provides information on silversmithing techniques; silver care, restoration, and conservation; and the aesthetic value of this art form.
Society of American Silversmiths
Contact: Jeffrey Herman
PO Box 786
Providence, RI 02907
Tel: 401/461-6840
Fax: 401/461-6841
E-mail: Press
<sas@silversmithing.com>
Web: http://www.silversmithing.com
* Photographs of Heikki Seppä
are available by contacting the Society.
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