Union Studio Metals by Michelle Keller

.
Altitude Gallery proudly represents Michelle Keller from Bend, Oregon.
Read on to learn about the artist's inspiration and artistic journey.
.

Union Studio Metals is adornment for the free roaming spirit with androgynous taste for the strikingly abnormal. The current line offers a gritty antiquity by incorporating hand picked rocks from western travels set into raw folded and stacked metals. Each piece is 100% hand built by metalsmith Michelle Keller.

Story: Union Studio Metals was born in 2011 in a garage in Garden City, Idaho (before it was the "arts district" and definitely not cool). From the beginning the most important aspects of USM have included experimentation with materials, traveling to shows, purchasing stones, bring pets to work, and building a business organically that feels great!

Each piece is hand built by master metalsmith Michelle Keller in her Bend, Oregon studio. Michelle started her jewelry journey by fawning over the Sundance Catalog and hoping to someday make jewelry that would be featured in such catalogs and stores. She received her bachelor of fine arts with emphasis in metalsmithing in 2008 from Boise State University. Then apprenticed with master goldsmith Mike Rogers of Precious Metal Arts in downtown Boise. She has attended countless workshops and classes by all the top names in the Craft. She believes that education in your craft is the best way to keep humble, manifest fresh ideas, and overcome burn out.

In 2014, she moved the business to Denver, CO where it began to thrive! After being featured in many arts and crafts shows in Colorado USM began to really pick up fans and loyal customers. Her work has been sold in over 300 stores, galleries, and boutiques nationwide including Arhaus, Smithsonian Renwick, and Sundance Catalog (dream come true).

In 2017, USM and Michelle moved onto the road to live in a 39' travel toy hauler (RV) which offered so many adventures and living the "van life" dream. She lived and worked the road life for 3 years before settling in Marfa, TX for a short stent then moving back to Boise, Idaho once Covid hit. Currently you can find Michelle in Bend, Oregon teaching at Central Oregon Community College.

Shop Union Studio Metals by Michelle Keller →