The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is set to host the 25th edition of MAD About Jewelry, its annual exhibition and sale showcasing contemporary jewelry, from May 3 to May 7. This special milestone event will feature over 50 artists, both established and emerging, from 23 countries, displaying groundbreaking jewelry pieces that push the boundaries of design.
The event will kick off with an exclusive Opening Benefit Brunch on May 3, honoring Frank Everett, a highly respected jewelry expert and Vice Chairman for Jewelry at Sotheby’s. Before his time at Sotheby’s, Everett had a distinguished career at luxury brands like Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., and Harry Winston. He is widely known for his video series, Frank’s Files, which offers expert insights into the world of jewelry. The brunch will give guests the first chance to view the jewelry being presented at this year’s event, before celebrating Everett’s remarkable contributions to the industry.
The brunch, held at Robert, will celebrate Everett’s vision as a leader in the jewelry world. His passion for craftsmanship and design excellence perfectly aligns with MAD’s mission. All proceeds from the event will support the Museum’s efforts to advance contemporary art, craft, and design.
This year’s collection brings together a diverse group of artists, each exploring innovative approaches to jewelry-making. Xinyi Chen, based in England, transforms electronic waste into wearable art through her “Artificial Intelligems” collection, which combines digital materials with traditional metalsmithing. Italian artist Valeria Molinari reimagines backgammon pieces as jewelry, crafting colorful resin and Murano glass pieces inspired by the board game. Joana Correia, from Portugal, celebrates imperfection in her Silk Cocoon and Orange Peel collections, which feature organic materials that reflect nature’s resilience.
Cano Jewelry, a Colombian family brand, continues a century-old tradition of pre-Colombian goldsmithing by creating contemporary pieces through lost-wax casting. Japanese artist Yuka Taniai explores transparency and light, using acrylic, nylon, and metal to create layered, three-dimensional jewelry that captures natural phenomena like sunlight and water. English artist Inca Starzinsky blends graphic design with jewelry, creating sculptural pieces using brass, silver, stainless steel, and enamel paint. Her “Float” collection features hollow forms that express vibrant color and dynamic design.
From Denmark, KINRADEN, founded by architect Sarah Emilie Müllertz, combines modernist design with sustainable practices. The brand creates sculptural jewelry from recycled gold, silver, and FSC-certified Mpingo blackwood, celebrating both organic beauty and architectural precision. Copenhagen’s Monies, celebrating its 50th anniversary, is known for avant-garde jewelry that blends raw, unrefined materials, blurring the line between jewelry and art.
Each year, MAD About Jewelry awards an artist with the Acquisition Prize, which gives them the opportunity to have their work added to the Museum’s permanent collection. This prize highlights MAD’s commitment to preserving and celebrating groundbreaking jewelry design for future generations.
“For 25 years, MAD About Jewelry has been a symbol of creativity, innovation, and community,” said Tim Rodgers, the Museum’s Nanette L. Laitman Director. “This event not only showcases extraordinary artistry but also plays a crucial role in supporting MAD’s exhibitions and educational initiatives. We are deeply grateful to the artists, collectors, and patrons who make this event possible and look forward to another year of inspiration and celebration.”
The jewelry on display will include a wide variety of pieces—necklaces, earrings, rings, brooches, and bracelets—crafted from diverse materials and inspired by different cultural perspectives. MAD About Jewelry remains an important platform for contemporary jewelry, and its proceeds directly support the Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs. Visitors will also have the unique opportunity to speak with and purchase pieces directly from the artists, bringing together a global collection of distinctive jewelry in one location.
This event highlights MAD’s ongoing commitment to exploring materials and processes, and to showcasing jewelry as a fine art. MAD is the only American museum with a gallery dedicated to both temporary jewelry exhibitions and its own collection of modern and contemporary studio jewelry.
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