The metalsmithing and jewelry program is in danger of being eliminated due to state budget cuts.
Metals majors and other art students are concerned about the effects such a cut would have on their education, the art department and ETSU itself.
David Logan, professor of metals, said that the ETSU program is one of two left in the state of Tennessee. The other program, also under threat of elimination, is at Tennessee Tech.
Logan said his classes are generally full and that the elimination would reduce the options for art students, especially those who work in 3-D.
The art department is growing. The amount of majors and minors went from 205 in 1997, to 275 in 2002.
The number of graduates earning BFA degrees has more than doubled, from 42 in 1997, to 109 in 2002.
The metals program has 14 declared majors and 6 of those are from out of state.
Edie Browder, metals major, uprooted her family and moved from Asheville to work toward a BFA in metals.
She has a personal desire to own a business, do custom work and continue her artistic expression through metals. If the program is eliminated, she might have to move.
“If they take away the metals program they will cut off a leg” Browder said. “The potential for growth in this program is unlimited and a very important part of the art department.”
Mercedes McNair, another metals major, moved from Alabama to get the degree she wants.
“I left my friends and life in Alabama to come here by myself specifically for this program,” McNair said. “If they take it away it will be hard to find a new program. I spent a year here to establish residency and I may have to move again.”
Aleta Chandler started the program in 1995, left to have a family and now would have no other options if the program ends, since her family is rooted here.
Chandler would have to choose another major and try to find an apprenticeship with a jeweler in the area to finish her education.
Karen Chappell, also a metals major, said, “Working with metal is a rewarding process to me.
“If the program is lost at ETSU, I will not be able to move to a different state and would have to change my major.”
Metals courses aren’t only for metals students. They are required for students with 3-D majors like sculpture or ceramics.
Ceramics major, Gale Stryker, uses metal work in her ceramic designs. Stryker said metals gives her other avenues to enhance her work.
“You have 10 fingers, but wouldn’t want to do without your thumbs,” Stryker said. “Metals are a whole new window of ideas and I would take more metals classes if they were available.”
Students have created petitions and are circulating them on campus in an effort to make their voices heard.
Anyone wishing to sign the petition can find a copy available on the door of the metals studio, located in the basement of Ball Hall.

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