vancouver metal arts association
jurors
charon kransen — internationally recognized curator, educator, and advocate for contemporary jewellery
curtis h. arima — artist, educator, and Interim Dean of Fine Arts at California College of the Arts, known for work exploring sustainability, cultural heritage, and personal narrative
estela sáez-villanueva — curator, educator, and contemporary jewellery specialist dedicated to research, exhibition-making, and international dialogue
Presented by the Vancouver Metal Arts Association (VMAA), We Meet In Between is an international juried exhibition that explores the spaces where transformation happens. It invites artists and audiences alike to consider the moments that exist between certainty and uncertainty, past and future, tradition and innovation, self and community.
Rather than seeking fixed definitions, the exhibition embraces transition as a place of possibility. The “in-between” may be experienced through migration, cultural identity, personal growth, memory, material exploration, or the quiet moments that shape our lives. Each work offers a unique perspective, creating a rich conversation between individual experiences and shared human stories.
Contemporary jewellery and small objects are uniquely suited to this dialogue. Existing between sculpture and adornment, art and design, these intimate works invite us to slow down and look closely. Worn on the body or held in the hand, they carry stories of identity, resilience, belonging, and transformation, encouraging meaningful connections between maker, wearer, and viewer.
The exhibition showcases an exciting range of materials and approaches—from precious metals and traditional metalsmithing to found objects, recycled materials, textiles, ceramics, and emerging technologies. Together, the selected works demonstrate the remarkable diversity of contemporary jewellery while highlighting craftsmanship, experimentation, and thoughtful storytelling.
Hosted at the Craft Council of British Columbia Gallery, a leading venue dedicated to contemporary craft, We Meet In Between brings together artists from around the world in a shared exploration of connection, curiosity, and creative exchange. The exhibition reflects VMAA’s ongoing commitment to supporting contemporary jewellery and metalsmithing while fostering dialogue across cultures and disciplines.
Whether you are a collector, maker, student, or simply curious about contemporary jewellery, We Meet In Between offers an opportunity to experience jewellery as more than adornment. It is an exhibition about connection, curiosity, and the beauty of embracing complexity. In the spaces between certainty and possibility, we discover new perspectives—and perhaps, we discover one another.
