Winthrop University

Legacy of a Mentor: The Artistic Influence of Alfred D. Ward – 2025

September 18, 2025/0 Comments/in Blog/by admin

Silver and ebony teapot by Alfred D. Ward, Photography by Alexis Lorraine Howard

kaminer haislip silver purple heart teapot

Corresponding to an echo as it travels (teapot II), silver and purple heart, by Kaminer Haislip, Photography by Alexis Lorraine Howard

Legacy of a Mentor: The Artistic Influence of Alfred D. Ward

alfred d ward silversmith jewelry designer artist

October 13 – November 15, 2025

Rutledge Gallery & Elizabeth Dunlap Patrick Gallery

Reception: November 13, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Featuring work from select alumni and previous students of Alf Ward.

Coordinated by Winthrop University Galleries

https://www.winthrop.edu/cvpa/galleries/index.aspx

133 McLaurin Hall

Rock Hill, SC 29733

kaminer haislip alfred ward university of london sir john cass

Kaminer Haislip and Alfred D. Ward at University of London Sir John Cass Silversmithing Studio in 2004

It truly is an honor to be invited to exhibit in Winthrop University’s exhibition Legacy of a Mentor: The Artistic Influence of Alfred D. Ward. This special exhibition will be on display from October 13 – November 15, 2025 in the Rutledge Gallery & Elizabeth Dunlap Patrick Gallery.

I studied under Alf at Winthrop for both my BFA in Jewelry and Metals and MFA in Silversmithing and Design. Alf was an internationally acclaimed British silversmith from London and I was extremely fortunate to have learned my skills from him. He had an immense impact on my life and put me on the path to where I am now.

alfred ward platinum brooch winthrop university exhibition

Platinum Brooch by Alfred D. Ward

A select group of alumni that studied under Alf have been invited to participate and show artworks that relate to Alf for this commemorative exhibition. My artworks include a silver teapot (pictured above), coffeepot, cream and sugar set, and Rialto Pendant Large (pictured below).

kaminer haislip silver Rialto Pendant guilloche

Rialto Pendant Large by Kaminer Haislip

A catalogue about the exhibition is being published by Winthrop University Galleries and will be available for purchase through them.

I will be in attendance at the reception on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30pm-7pm and I hope to see you there!

Winthrop University Lecture + Exhibition – 2017

January 19, 2017/0 Comments/in Blog/by admin

Kaminer Haislip, a BFA Jewelry/Metals and MFA Silversmithing alumni from Winthrop University, gave a lecture about her career as a designer silversmith on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at the college’s Rutledge Building. She had an enthusiastic audience and was honored to be invited to speak at her college! Earlier in the day she visited the intermediate and advanced Jewelry/Metals class and did a Q&A session with the wonderful group of students. Additionally, she was invited by Winthrop’s First Lady Laura Mahony to the President’s House for a private tour, which was a special treat.

Kaminer Haislip’s handcrafted sterling silver and purple heart coffeepot and sterling silver cream and sugar set will be included in the Winthrop University Jewelry/Metals Department Exhibition Unconventional Departures. Themed on the past – present – and future of the WU Jewelry/Metals program, this exhibition will feature a curated collection of artworks created by current students in the Jewelry/Metals program, a collection of current work and research from BFA students, and a selection of works from Winthrop alumni.

The show will be on display in the Lewandowski Student Gallery in McLaurin Hall from February 21-March 4, 2017. The closing reception is Friday, March 3 from 6pm-8pm and is open to the public. Kaminer will be in attendance at the closing reception and is really looking forward to it!

https://www.winthrop.edu/galleries/

A MEDAL FOR ALF

February 4, 2012/0 Comments/in Blog/by admin

Alfred (Alf) Ward recently received the Winthrop University Medal of Honor in the Arts. Ward, a Winthrop University Professor of Art and Design, and an internationally renowned goldsmith who created the Winthrop University mace, among numerous other important commissions, designed and creates the Medals. Born in London, Ward studied silversmithing at Canterbury College of Art and completed his National Diploma in Design at Birmingham University in 1963.

As a consultant designer to Spink & Sons in London, and by Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, he designed many presentation pieces for The Royal Air Force, The Royal Family of Saudi Arabia, Revlon of Paris and individual awards for Margo Fontaine and the Covent Garden Opera House.

Since his arrival at Winthrop University in 1989, among other commissions, Ward has designed and produced silverware for the American Crafts Council, ceremonial maces for the University of Tennessee, Coastal Carolina and designed brooch pins for the last 10 First Ladies of South Carolina.

Please find below the YouTube link to the video that the Department of Fine Arts produced in honor of Professor Emeritus Alf Ward and his receiving of the Medal of Honor in Arts this past April 1, 2011 at Winthrop University. Please allow about 10 to 15 seconds for the piece to begin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqXVLukaJeM

Video Production, A MEDAL FOR ALF

A Production of the Department of Fine Arts, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC