Judith Neugebauer has worked as a jeweler since 1974. Prior to this, she was trained in classical ballet, having studied extensively with the American Ballet Theater in NYC. She performed professionally in the Ballet Corp at Radio City Music Hall in NYC and with the New Jersey Ballet Company, as well as in musical theater productions throughout the country for ten years. The many years she spent as a dancer have given her an awareness of form, line and movement. These influences have inspired her as an artist and have been transferred into her work as a jeweler. Additionally, her explorations with clay in the early 1980's introduced her to an oriental aesthetic, which may be seen in the calligraphic use of gold-leaf and colored metal inlays on her jewelry. Judith was educated at Farleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ and studied Jewelry with Austin Goodwin at Kean College in Union, NJ. She also studied both jewelry and ceramics at the Visual Art Center of NJ in Summit NJ. She lives and works with her husband, Tom Neugebauer (a nationally known ceramics artist and sculptor), in Milford, PA. Judith's work is widely exhibited and collected, having been featured in Fine Craft Galleries, Museum Stores, and Juried Exhibitions throughout the US since 1985. Of special note was her selection to participate in the 1999 Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, DC. She was selected as a Juror for the prestigious American Crafts Council shows in 1996 and 2011, the Longs Park Art Festival and the Berkshire Craft Show in 2010 , and has served as Juror for a number of other regional fine craft shows. She has also been featured in a number of national fine craft periodicals such as Ornament and Jewelry Making. "A previous career in classical ballet and theater instilled within me a deep awareness and appreciation for movement, line and balance. These are the classical qualities I have always tried to incorporate into my jewelry designs ... and in my life." "My work is individually hand-fabricated using sterling silver with an overlay of 23K gold leaf. Many pieces also incorporate freshwater pearls and Australian boulder opals set in 22kt gold. Fold-formed as well as die-formed hollow elements create visual depth, yet the overall concern with lightness and movement remain central to my approach. The addition of oxidized, sandblasted sterling silver on all or part of the surface creates a rich charcoal black patina which contrasts even more dramatically with the 23kt gold leaf; this is a popular alternative finish I offer on most of the pieces in my collection."