Lonna Huisingh

Lonna Huisingh is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Jewelry and Metal Arts at the University of Iowa. Her practice bridges Metalsmithing, Jewelry Design, and Wearable Art, with a focus on provocative, socially engaged mixed-media pieces. She holds a BFA and BS from Nebraska Wesleyan University (emphases in Metalsmithing and Sociology/Anthropology) and an MFA from the University of Iowa.

• Education History:
• BFA (Metalsmithing) & BS (Sociology/Anthropology), Nebraska Wesleyan University
• MFA (Metalsmithing), University of Iowa

Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery, the Museum of Arts and Design (NYC), and the Russian State Pedagogical University. Collections featuring her work include the Renwick Gallery and MAD’s permanent holdings. She has contributed to major publications like Metalsmith Magazine and Art Jewelry Today, emphasizing conscious adornment and craft innovation.

Notable recognition includes an American Craft Council Award of Excellence and grants supporting her research. Her practice explores intersections between craft, social commentary, and material experimentation, reflected in exhibitions like Wearable Art: A Catalyst for Conversation (2023).

• Awards & Grants:
• American Craft Council Award of Excellence
• Iowa Arts Council Grant Recipient

Her academic contributions include advising in UIowa’s Studio Art program and participating in national craft exhibitions such as the American Craft Council shows in Baltimore and St. Paul. She actively engages with educational outreach through UIowa’s facilities like the Visual Arts Building and Stanley Museum of Art.