Life & Work with Cheryl Eve Acosta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Eve Acosta.

Hi Cheryl Eve, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was six years old, I was designing the world around me. I was sketching houses, furniture, clothing, accessories; anything that I could imagine. Simultaneously, I was teaching myself how to sow clothing for my Barbies. I started making jewelry out of beads, sea glass, shells, wood, leather amongst others, which eventually led to my desire to work with metal. Part of this desire to create came from my French lineage of artists. My upbringing consisted of living both in France and Puerto Rico until I was in my mid-teens, which shaped my love for fashion and later for marine life. I moved to the US to learn metalsmithing at New Mexico State University, where I received a BFA. In New Mexico, my jewelry was inspired by fossils left behind in the desert land, once covered by ocean life. The Presence collection emerged sculpting minimalistic jewelry out of silver square wire. After completing my MFA, I moved to Providence, RI to study Jewelry + Metals at the Rhode Island School of Design. During the MFA program, my creations evolved into a sculptural wearable art called Hidden in Nature fabricated in copper, glass, and fabric. Now in Kansas City, I am thankful to celebrate 11 years of making art in a beautiful storefront located in the KC Crossroads.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a female artist and Latina, I feel that I had to work a little harder to be where I am today. However, my focus on the positive opened many opportunities throughout my journey, and continue to do so. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to pursue my creative practice along with grants to open a studio. As a business owner, I end up wearing many hats from designing, materializing my ideas to delivering the art to my clients. Balancing my personal life with my passion, which has become a career can be challenging.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an artist with a vision to manifest my ideas. From an early age, I created jewelry. Today metalsmithing has become my focus creating sculptural jewelry and wall decor. My art is inspired by the Cycle of Life specifically marine fauna. Four collections (Mer De Verre, Mare Alben, Presence, and Ciclos) depict each stage behind the storyline of my creations, which evolved by living in different parts of the country. I handmake each one-of-a-kind and limited-edition jewels in copper, silver, and gold. Most people know me for the distinct style of my signature Oyster rings from the Mer de Verre (Sea of Glass) collection made in copper and fuse glass. I am also known for my large-scale copper fabric sculptural necklaces that can be worn and displayed as a sculpture. The three-dimensional metal works extend beyond the realm of body adornments. I translate my designs into wall installations and home décor. My art has led to many accomplishments that I am grateful for. Back in 2018, I was selected by the National Museum of Women in the Art’s Greater Kansas City Area Committee in D.C. to show my sculptures at the Heavy Metal / Women to Watch both in D.C. and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City. I was ArtsKC’s featured visual artist of the year for their awards luncheon. I also had the opportunity to create a brooch for former secretary of state Madeleine Albright. Being raised by two different cultures, French and Puerto Rican have always made me feel different and I think that distinctiveness carries through my work. My education helped take my creativity and career to the next level.

What’s next?
Oh, I have so many plans, which will take a lifetime to accomplish! Most recently, I expanded my studio space in the Kansas City Crossroads. This has allowed me to take on bigger projects, host First Friday’s Artist Pop-Ups, and entertain other events. I have been working on a new jewelry line inspired by greeneries, unlike my ocean-inspired designs. I am further developing my sculptural decor line which has opened up the opportunity to create a custom wall art installation for the Truman Medical Center. Like my copper and glass jewelry collection, I will create a peaceful environment for patients to experience as they wait in the newly remodeled NICU unit. This art will also recognize the in-kind donors who supported the hospital. Many more ideas are in the works! Follow my newsletter at www.cheryleve.com and my social media #cheryleveacosta #cherylevedesigns! You may also shop at my storefront studio located at 217 West 19th Ter. KC MO 64108! #kccrossroads

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.cheryleve.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Cheryleveacosta/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cherylevedesigns
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/Cheryl_Eve_

Image Credits
1. Jennifer Wetzel 2. Cheryl Eve Acosta 3. Nick Allen + Cheryl Eve Acosta 4. Gene Starr 5. Gene Starr 6. Affandi Setiawan 7. Gene Starr 8. Affandi Setiawan 9. Lydia Knopp + Cheryl Eve Acosta