Donna Silverman

During the first ten years after highschool I continued my education majoring in art at Santa Monica College and UCLA. I juggled marriage two kids and school. The kids and marriage won out and I did not complete my degree. My time was filled with schlepping, shopping, more schlepping and somehow found time to be PTA president of my kids school.

During the second ten year period, 1978-1988, My husband and I opened a fine jewelry store on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. I served as primary designer and my husband fabricated the pieces in our studio in back of the store. We also carried work by many other local and international jewelry artists. Our store became quite well known and respected in the community. Word of mouth spread and we developed a large celebrity clientele.

In the early nineties, my marriage began to fall apart and we divorced in 1997. It became too difficult to maintain the store on my own and I was ready for a change.

After closing the store I worked with the sculptor Robert Graham, producing the National Endowment for the Arts Awards which were made of 18k gold and silver. He later asked me to produce some of his sculptures in silver.

In 2001 I entered the restaurant business working as a catering consultant and created recipes. Injuries forced me to stop and the next few years were challenging to say the least.

Recently, I returned to my first love, making art. I began drawing about four months ago and had my first show in August at the TAG Gallery in Santa Monica. So it's only taken me forty years and four months for things to come full circle. I can honestly say, I have never been happier or felt more fulfilled. Life is good. Looking forward to seeing all of you at the reunion.

My new website is: donnasilvermanart.com