Roughly three times a year 1996 Bainbridge High School graduate Annie Huntley embarks on a treasure hunt. She travels “half-way ‘round the world”in search of stones, jewels, trinkets and findings she will use in her eclectic line of jewelry.
But Tuesday she made a trip that may be one of her most memorable — the ferry back to Bainbridge Island.
An appreciative crowd gathered at Yonder, just down the street from where Huntley grew up. There, Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Executive Director Susan Jackson presented Huntley with the 2011 Amy Award before handing her an envelope that contained the $3,000 monetary prize that accompanies the accolades.
“As a successful jeweler, you have the soul of a sculptor, the dexterity of a surgeon, and the eye of a seasoned antique dealer,” Jackson said.
Choked with emotion, Huntley thanked the family, friends and mentors present who helped in her personal and professional development.
The Amy Award is presented to a young adult under the age of 35, who is or has been an island resident, has compiled a body of work in the visual or performing arts, and whose work demonstrates a sense of quality, creativity, exploration and dedication.
This year’s recipient was chosen by the unanimous first-choice agreement of Jackson, David Sessions and Victoria Josslin of Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, with whom Huntley has been exhibiting for the last three years.
Huntley’s business, Dotted Line Jewels, sells her meticulously crafted jewelry made of gold, silver, and brass metal, semi-precious stones, and one-of-a-kind charms and medallions that she finds throughout Europe and the Middle East.
“People often ask me where I get the patience to work on the small intricate details of my jewelry designs,” Huntley explains on her website. “I have so many childhood memories of my mother creating, whether it was sewing, tatting or making lace. These experiences showed me what it meant to be creative, detailed and work with my hands. My dad was a pilot and entrepreneur. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I learned a lot about the essential components of running a business from him, especially relationship building and risk taking.”
These days, Huntley works full-time in her studio in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle where she also co-hosts an event during the monthly art walk. In June, she’ll head to Italy in search of new treasures.
“Each piece has a story of its own,” Huntley said Wednesday recovering from the “still-fabulous aftershock” of Tuesday’s event.
“When I go to places searching little hole-in-the-wall, almost cavelike spaces that are actually stores, it’s hard not to come away with an overwhelming sense that it carries a piece of history. And that story continues with my process, and then the wearer adds more to it like a beautiful continuing saga.”
For more information about Huntley’s work, including an online gallery, visit her website at www.dottedlinejewels.com.
The Amy Award
The Amy Award is funded by an endowment established by David and Caren Anderson in memory of their daughter Amy. Amy was involved in the visual and performing arts and received positive and unsolicited feedback from many people during her life. In that spirit, there is no application process for the Amy Award. Recipient are chosen in alternate years by Bainbridge Performing Arts and Bainbridge Arts and Crafts selection committees.
Since its inception in 2001, the award has been presented to talented young artists who have continued to work in their chosen field including sculpture, performing arts, dance, music, film, photography, and printing making.
The program is facilitated by the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council which hosts a ceremony in late May.
Past Amy winners
2010: Wes Corbett
2009: Jonathan Hallet
2008: Claire Hosterman
2007: Gregory Glynn
2006: Vincent Palazzolo-Packard
2005: Tracy Lang
2004: Rain Ross
2003: Jessica Tuffley
2002: Solia Hermes
2001: Korum Bischoff
