Rachel Suzanne Smith
Rachel Suzanne Smith is an artist, metalsmith, and educator. She received her undergraduate degree at Miami University in Art Education with minors in 3D Media Studies (jewelry/metals) and Spanish. She received her MFA in Crafts (Jewelry Metals Enameling) at Kent State University in 2015. Smith taught Jewelry/Metals, CAD for Jewelry, and Makerspace Exploration/Digital Fabrication courses at Kent State between 2015 and 2020. Smith now dedicates her career to growing, supporting, and managing academic makerspaces. Currently, as the Fabrication Manager at Sears think[box], Smith works to uphold a safe and accessible shop environment that is free and open to everyone.
As a practicing artist, Smith maintains a studio practice in North East Ohio. She creates works to exhibit in addition to a small number of limited production works that can be found at Ombre Gallery for sale. Smith is active in the craft and jewelry community, and currently serves as Board President of the Ohio Designer Craftsmen and the Ohio Craft Museum. In addition to her personal studio practice, Smith maintains a studio partnership with NE Ohio artist Jennifer Ramirez.
Photo: Smith holding a piece from her 2021- 2024 Acadia Series. Photo Credit Lisa Tan, 2024
Work and Research
Rachel Suzanne Smith’s work reflects themes of identity and ornament, focusing specifically on the desire to connect with the outdoors and nature. Facilitating that need occurs through adornment, allowing the wearer to surround themselves with arrangements and clusters of plants. The wearable sculptures Smith creates serve as a form of self-expression rooted in the biophilia hypothesis, that all humans yearn to connect with nature and other life forms. Utilizing CAD/CAM and digital fabrication tools and techniques, Smith replicates, reviews, revisits, and reworks designs to dig deeper into these ideas and themes from different angles.
Chicory Memory Ruff by R Smith, 2023. Photo Credit Lisa Tan, 2024
Teaching Portfolio
Kent State University 2015-2020
Works included are from courses with a focus on digital design and fabrication: CAD for Jewelry, Advanced CAD, and Digital Fabrication for Studio Art. Syllabi, project prompts, and handouts are available upon request.
Rachel Suzanne Smith 