The Metal Arts Guild (MAG) is an independent, non-profit, educational organization
of people who are skilled, interested, or share in the production and exhibition of metals.

Our Community

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Everyone is welcome to join: from the beginner to the master craftsperson, teachers and students, metal arts collectors and more. Each member is a vital part of making the Guild work for our community.

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We support the work of outstanding metal artists by organizing exhibitions, lectures, and workshops, awarding an annual MAG Community Project Grant, various student scholarships, and offering resources and opportunities for our members.

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MAG is a 501(c 3) non-profit, all-volunteer-led arts organization, and we rely on your generosity to help us provide metal related events, lectures, workshops, exhibitions and networking mixers to the membership and community.

Featured Member

Each month a new Featured Member is chosen from the completed member profiles on our website. Their interview and work is highlighted on our blog and social media. Visit our archive of past Featured Members.

September 2019

 

  • Shana Astrachan
  • Shana Astrachan
  • Shana Astrachan
  • Shana Astrachan
  • Shana Astrachan

Shana Astrachan

Website: shanaastrachanjewelry.com
Instagram: foxanddoll

Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in San Francisco. I moved here straight out of art school in 1996 and wanted a community of artists that the city had to offer. I joined the Metal Arts Guild within weeks of coming to SF and have met so many wonderful friends through it. I served on the MAG board for a few years, as the exhibitions director, and loved putting on some of our annual shows. I also am part of a critique collective, of artists I met through MAG, and we have been together over 20 years meeting monthly to discuss our work. I’ve worked as a designer and maker my whole professional career, with jewelry and metals as my focus. And about ten years ago in 2009 I shifted to the cosmetic industry, through product design and development I came to my current main focus working as a makeup artist and hairstylist, working on shoots, commercials, some film and doing my first season on the SF Opera this year. I have a strong passion for all things vintage, including clothing, music and architecture. I am seeing this come through more and more in my jewelry and design projects as I get back to creating some new work after a break during my career change. My newest designs are acrylic laser-cut hairsticks, a crossover between my jewelry and vintage hairstyling work. I would like to create more hair accessories and beauty related items that bridge my jewelry background with my love of vintage beauty and glamour.

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