Ivry Russillo, class of 1998, couldn’t wait to graduate from MVRHS. She made it through high school by focusing on her art classes. After graduation, she attended the Museum School in Boston, where she took a variety of courses, finding metalsmithing as her passion. She completed two years at the Museum School in jewelry-making, and took a one-year sabbatical to figure out which direction to head next.
Ivry researched diploma programs within the U.S. for continuing education in jewelry fabrication, and found limited resources. She came across Art Studio Fuji in Florence, Italy, and was fascinated by the students’ portfolios, teachers’ credibility, and class offerings. After six months there, she was invited to become a teacher’s assistant, which allowed her to work with some outstanding teachers and artisans for the following 2½ years. She finished the program at Fuji and received her diploma in jewelry-making.
During the summers, Ivry came home to the Island to work (like many Islanders) in a variety of jobs: bartending, cleaning houses, caretaking, etc., while creating jewelry at home and making small sales.
Eventually, Ivry packed up her truck with her jeweler’s bench and tools and moved to South Beach in Miami, Fla., where there was a thriving arts community. She enrolled in a martial arts class. Interestingly, while learning how to gooseneck someone’s wrist at one of these classes, she heard two participants talking about ArtCenter/South Florida and its need to hire a jewelry instructor. Ivry applied and got the position. For the next four or five years, she taught jewelry making at the ArtCenter in Miami, hosted workshops, offered pop-ups throughout the area, and enjoyed the beach.
In 2015, Ivry returned to the Island and began her current career of selling her jewelry full-time at the Chilmark Flea Market, the Vineyard Artisans Festival, and the Edgartown Village Market. In addition, she teaches workshops at Featherstone in Oak Bluffs, where she’s now been an instructor for five years.
Ivry is an entrepreneur and a survivor. Kudos, Ivry, for your persistence in creating a life built on passion for your craft. Luckily, Islanders see your exquisite craftsmanship at the above-listed markets and holiday festivals. Ivry, we celebrate you as another one of our graduates making us so very proud. Thank you.
Marge Harris was a teacher at MVRHS for 27 years. You can contact her at margeharris@comcast.net. This column appears twice a month.