معرفی
David Cole is a Senior Adjunct Professor in the Jewelry and Metal Arts Program at the California College of the Arts (CCA), where he contributes his extensive expertise in metalsmithing and craftsmanship. Based in Oakland, CA, he bridges academic instruction with a robust professional practice encompassing fine jewelry, large-scale public art, and architectural metalwork for historic sites.
His educational background includes a BA from Dartmouth College and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. These foundations have supported a career dedicated to the creation of exquisite, emotionally resonant objects that explore the intersection of material, mechanism, and human connection.
Cole's research and creative interests center on the art and science of making, with deep engagement in analog manufacturing techniques, stewardship of craft traditions, and the emotional resonance of materials. His work reflects a fascination with the 'exquisite object' and the legacy of forgotten artisans, exemplified by his 13-year documentation of metalsmith Marie Zimmermann, which culminated in a major monograph published by Yale University Press.
Although no formal publications are listed, his creative output functions as a form of scholarly practice, manifesting in permanent public installations in Boise, ID; Bend, OR; Richland, WA; and at the Colorado School of Mines. Current projects include a kinetic sculpture for the Lafayette BART Station and restoration metalwork for the historic Japanese Tea Garden pagoda in San Francisco. His work for Stanford University—including custom handrails and scuppers for historic buildings—further demonstrates his integration of art, function, and preservation.
- Yale University Press monograph contributor on Marie Zimmermann
- Curator, Dead Nuts: a search for the ultimate mechanical object, SF Museum of Craft + Design (2019)
- Speaker at Stanford University, Exploratorium, Berkeley Art Museum, and American Society of Jewelry Historians
Cole advises students through his teaching role at CCA and also instructs at the Autodesk San Francisco Technology Center. While specific advisees are not named, his mentorship extends through studio practice, public projects, and historical research. He is involved in grant-like commissioned works for cities and institutions, including Stanford University and municipal public art programs, though specific grant funding is not detailed.
David Cole leads Svartvik Metalworks, Ltd. and the Kinematics Lab, which serve as creative and research laboratories for his exploration of mechanical forms and fabrication techniques. These studios are central to his artistic inquiry and function as extensions of his academic practice, fostering innovation at the intersection of art, design, and engineering.
