Student: Sephra Reyes
Sephra Reyes is working towards her master of fine arts in metal design at East Carolina University. She grew up in San Miguel, New Mexico, and she received her bachelor’s degree in metals and fine jewelry from New Mexico State University in 2015.
“There were a couple of metalsmiths that I looked up to that went to ECU and that was the thing that sparked my interest initially,” she said. “And the fact that the camaraderie between the students was always talked about, which was important to me.”
Her projects have ranged in size, and the amount of time spent on them could vary from a couple of hours to 50. She has participated in a few shows, including a show in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she created an enameled brooch that depicted the rugged Organ Mountains, a landmark near the town.
“As soon as I took my first metals class in college I knew that was what I wanted to do,” she said.
She is currently interested in plants as potential sources of healing, which has led her to start doing research on herbs, herbalism, and holistic and complementary medicine.
“I am applying my research to my work by fabricating tools associated with an apothecary practice. Each tool will be made for a specific type of herb or purpose and are intended to encourage conversations about herbalism and how it can be an effective home practice,” she said.
Reyes has an assistantship with the Wellington B. Gray Gallery in ECU’s Jenkins Fine Arts Center. She is also the point person for ECU’s Material Topics Metals Symposium, which will be held in January.
“We have five amazing shows this year that will be set up in the Gray Gallery and Burroughs Wellcome Gallery as well as a jewelry pop-up sale put on by two ECU alumni, an auction and several mini shows set up by other universities with students participating in the symposium,” she said.
Over the summer, Reyes traveled to New Orleans with other ECU students for an annual metalsmithing conference put on by the Society of North American Goldsmiths. While there, she had the chance to network with emerging and well-known artists in her field.
In June, she traveled to California for the Born Free motorcycle rally with her family.
“My dad is a huge influence in everything I do, and I picked up my affinity for motorcycles from him. His dad taught him how to ride, so when he put me on a dirt bike when I was younger, I took to it immediately,” she said. “We both have Harley Davidsons now, and we go out on rides every chance we get.”
Since returning to Greenville, she has started work on two other collaborative pieces, one with a metals student from Virginia Commonwealth University and another with an ECU graduate living in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico.
“Like any new venture, metalsmithing requires time and dedication, but it gives back as much as it takes,” she said. “It’s extremely rewarding to wear a piece of jewelry that you made yourself, but jewelry is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to metals.”
What advice do you have for other students?: Talk to your professors and choose who you are going to listen to throughout your time here. They will all teach you a lesson, but you have the choice of whose advice and which lessons mean the most to you. Also, take advantage of every opportunity we have as students: the library, our student ID benefits, the Mendenhall Student Center activities, etc. One day we will graduate and no longer be students. Enjoy it.
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year?: When you click “hold this book” on the library website, they will pull the book for you and all you have to do is pick it up at the front desk.
STATISTICS
College: School of Art and Design
Major: Master of Fine Arts, metals design concentration
Age: 25
Classification/Year: Graduate
Hometown: San Miguel, New Mexico
Hobbies/interests: Metalsmithing, herbalism, playing guitar and motorcycling
Clubs and Organizations: Metals Guild
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: Top 3: Christy’s Euro Pub, Blackbeard Coffee, Pitt Street Brewery
Favorite place on campus: My studio
Favorite place to eat: Winslow’s Tavern
Favorite class: Ceramics
Professor who influenced you the most: Motoko Furuhashi, the Metals Department Head during my undergrad at New Mexico Street University
Favorite TV show: “Attack on Titan”
Favorite band/musician: I love all kinds of music. It’s impossible to pick a single favorite artist.
Favorite movie: “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “The Milagro Beanfield War”
Favorite website: learningherbs.com
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: Owning a gallery/studio/tea house
The one thing you cannot live without: My mom, dad and sister
Role model: My little sister
Your words to live by: “It will all be ok in the end. If it’s not OK, it’s not the end” and “Don’t leave your purse on the ground!”