RAMONA SOLBERG (1921-2005)
2003 Recipient of the Twining Humber
Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement

Artist Trust proudly announces jeweler, Ramona Solberg of Seattle, as the third recipient of the Twining Humber Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Ramona Solberg is recognized internationally as an innovator and icon of contemporary craft. She helped pioneer the use of found objects and assemblage, as well as the use of ethnic elements and ornaments in twentieth century contemporary jewelry. Ramona is also widely renowned as an educator and mentor, teaching at both Central Washington State College (now Central Washington University) and the University of Washington, influencing many of the most recognized jewelers and metalsmiths from the Northwest. As her nominator Larry Metcalf wrote, "As a teacher, mentor, artist, advocate, author, lecturer and traveler, her status as a 'lifetime achiever' continues daily."

In early March, a selection panel comprised of three visual artists chose Ramona Solberg from a pool of 33 nominated artists. This year’s panel included: Yakima painter Leo Adams, painter Gwendolyn Knight of Seattle and ceramicist Anne Hirondelle of Port Townsend.