Workshopping With: Jack da Silva

Workshopping With is a virtual programming series, led by artists and educators on various topics. This October, you'll be joining Jack da Silva in his studio to learn about copper and anticlastic forming.

The workshop sessions are available individually, or register for our bundle and gain access to both workshops. Watch party options are available to university and college classes. SNAG members receive discounted rates + check out our early bird prices!

Workshops are approximately 2-3 hours. Each workshop will be recorded and available for 6 weeks. Below are the details of each workshop.

Raised Right: Easier Copper Forming
Saturday, October 25, 2 p.m. ET

Easier Copper Forming offers a more gentle path to developing 3-Dimensional forms. We will coax metal’s plasticity/malleability through strategies of tool selection, sequence and proper annealing techniques. Use of templates, circumference development, sinking, compression, stretching, re-thickening, raising over air, raising multiple centers and planishing will be covered. Protective, ergonomic grasps and posture will be demonstrated. Perfect follow-up to Pattern Development (video still available for SNAG All Access members).

A Twist on Anticlastic Forming
Saturday, November 1, 2 p.m. ET

A Twist on Anticlastic Forming explores symmetrical and asymmetrical twisting to create a variety of design elements and their application. From simple to more complex, concepts of hyperbolic paraboloid and the hyperbolic paraboloid continuum will provide the core of our investigation. Perfect follow up to Synclastic & Anticlastic Forming (video still available for SNAG All Access members).

Instructor bio: Jack da Silva owns and operates Jack da Silva’s Metal Arts Studio. He is a Jewelry & Metal Arts (JMA) Instructor at City College of San Francisco in California of 23 years. Jack recently received a grant through the California Virtual Campus-Online Education Initiative to develop Fully Online JMA Beginning and Intermediate Fabrication credit courses as a state certified Online Instructor. Over four plus years, Jack guided the vision and design details for the Jewelry Metal Arts lab in the new CCSF-STEAM building, which opened in Summer 2025. 

da Silva is a third-generation gravestone maker from a family business of over 110 years. He has served for over 14 years on numerous nonprofit Board of Directors, including SNAG. Jack has researched and developed a curriculum incorporating ancient and traditional metalworking techniques. His personal artwork is found in permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK, Museum of Modern Art, Seoul, South Korea, Churches in Madeira, Portugal, Indianapolis Museum of Art, IN, Appalachian Center for Craft, TN, Sonny Kamm Teapot Foundation, NC, City Council Chambers, Oakland, CA and other public art installations in Ohio and California.