Mythical Jewelry Exhibition Opens at Foosaner Art Museum Oct. 5

MELBOURNE, FLA.—An exhibition of distinctive, intricate jewelry, created as talismans by D.X. Ross, will open at the Foosaner Art Museum Oct. 5. The show runs through Jan. 6, 2013.

A consummate creator Ross, who lived 1953 –2008, was perhaps best known for her totemic jewelry; it is hand-wrought, intricate metal work, comprising juxtaposed materials of precious and semi-precious stones, unusual shapes and sharp contrasts. Renowned for working in a distinctive, monochromatic form of enameling, called grisaille, Ross incorporated her drawings into amulets, created with hidden spaces to allow room for what she called “the spirit of the piece” to reside.

A prolific artist, Ross was also an etcher, lithographer and painter; she also created works in clay and fiber. Her work is in several collections, held in museums and privately, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Ross earned a BFA in printmaking at the StateUniversity of New York, Buffalo, in 1974 and her MFA in metal-smithing and jewelry in 1986 at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.

Ross lived in Melbourne Beach from 2001 to 2008.

The Foosaner Art Museum is located at 1463 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne. Its hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday 1-5 p.m. General admission is $5; $2, seniors, children and students with I.D.; free for museum members, Florida Tech faculty, staff and students with I.D. Thursdays are free for everyone.

Special rates and tours are available for groups of eight or more. For more information, call (321) 242-0737 or visit http://www.foosanerartmuseum.org/

Image credit: D. X. Ross, Pendant (Boy with Green Parrot) c. 1989. Sterling silver, gold, enamel, 2” x 3”. On loan from Alice Ross Graham.