A lifetime of artistic works
Jewelry-maker Kyle Leister to speak about her career
By Ruth Jones/staff
Staunton News Leade
Art is all Kyle Leister has known.
It’s her life. For 28 years, she’s used her gift to create jewelry.
“Jewelry is what makes my living,” Leister said.
She’s successfully tried her hand at creating other things such as perfume bottles and letter openers, but creating jewelry has always been her passion.
Gov. Tim Kaine and his wife, Anne Holton, wore some of her creations at inaugural festivities — cuff links for the governor and a necklace and pendant for the first lady.
On Monday, Leister will give people a glimpse into her 28-year career during the Beverley Street Studio School’s Conversation with Artists series.
Leister said she plans to talk about several key topics, but also leave the session open for questions.
“I’m going to show a slide show of my work from the beginning until now,” she said. “A lot of it is going all through the years.”
You can see how her work has progressed over time, she added.
The independent studio designer also plans to talk about her technique of using mixed media, mixing metals and stones to create various pieces, where she gets her designs, how they’re created and her motivation.
Leister said she understands people will want to know what it takes to be a studio artist, and it’s a question she’ll expect. However, it won’t be her focus.
Like other people make a living at whatever they do, Leister said she does the same. It’s all she knows.
“I don’t make my retirement. I don’t live for the weekend,” Leister said.
She just loves what she does. Instead, Leister said she just wants people to see what’s behind her 28 years as an artist.
