Sydney Pener is a professional Metalsmith, artist, and educator teaching at Johnson County Community College for over 25 years. Her conceptual metalwork honors the traditions of metalsmithing while utilizing and integrating a diversity of techniques and mixed-media materials. Serving as commentary regarding our dispensable and excessive, materialistic way of life, her metal art incorporates repurposed ornate antiques and upcycled, altered found objects. These once lost objects are transformed to a new level of relevance, beauty and purpose as wearable forms of adornment.
Her metal body adornment and jewelry has been featured in fashion magazines nationally and internationally such as – The Pitch Kansas City, Obvious & Volition Magazines LA, Moevir Paris, NPR, Eluxe Magazine London and her jewelry is represented by the Reuben Saunders Gallery where she is presently curating a metalsmithing show this Winter 2022 called Elemental: Interpretations in Metal. At the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, she was a featured artist in the Adorned Exhibit, Fall 2023. In conjunction with “Adorned”, Ms.Pener curated an interactive and performative fashion show event called Ornamenta which featured her wearable crowns, headdresses and jewelry united with fashion designers, models, musician, and dancer. Her ornate crowns and jewelry are included in the group show – Divine Feminine at the Mission Arts Center, Mission, KS.
Within the community sphere, Sydney is active within many local art events, fashion shows, and mentoring. Since 1991 she has been teaching workshops at art centers locally and nationally in New Jersey, Maine, and New York. In addition, she has taught art workshops for local veterans’ organizations, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Girl Scouts of America. Ms. Pener founded her company ENO Metalworks, LLC in 2018.
Sydney Pener received her MFA at Syracuse University and a BFA from the University of Kansas. Ms. Pener worked in New York City for the Compleat Sculptor and at Margo Manhattan Jewelry Gallery in SOHO. Presently as an Associate Professor, she has been teaching courses in Metalsmithing/Silversmithing, Art Fundamentals, Intro to Design & Art History for over twenty years at Johnson County Community College, and previously at Metropolitan Community College, Kansas State University, and Syracuse University.