Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalena White.
Hi Shalena, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My passion for art started in childhood. I always knew I’d be an artist. As a young adult, I poured myself into studying every medium I could get my hands on: ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, fibers. Eventually, I found my way to metalsmithing, drawn by the desire to wear my artwork, to be a walking gallery. It was the most technically demanding and rewarding medium I’d ever worked with.
I earned my BFA from Texas State University and later my MFA in Metals from UT Austin, where I was the only metalsmith in the program. That challenge pushed me to seek out national workshops and shape my own path. My work began evolving from traditional jewelry into public installations, pieces that combined sacred geometry, alternative materials like seeds and stones, and the visual language of adornment on an architectural scale. One of those works, Mountain Laurel Seed Wall Mandala II, is now in the City of Austin’s permanent collection, on display at City Hall in the Mayor’s hallway.
Over the years, I’ve oscillated between creating my artwork and teaching others how to do the same. I’ve taught everywhere from university metals studios to independent spaces. Now I run a YouTube channel and in-person metalsmithing classes focused on helping people learn the skills that took me decades to master.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The path to where I am today has been full of obstacles. During grad school, as the only metalsmith in the program, I had to fight for access to the mentorship and visibility that I needed to succeed. And when you’re trying to make a living as an artist and educator, it can be challenging to navigate finances, creativity, and business pursuits. But the most life-altering obstacle came after grad school, when I was diagnosed with cancer. My career was put on hold to focus on survival. I’ve had multiple near-death experiences over my decade-long health journey. Each one has increased my will to live, my passion to create, and my desire to share my knowledge. Juggling life with a chronic illness is a path I still face with determination every day.
Now, I value my time and relationships at a deeper level, and I’m more able to keep going during challenging times. I’ve learned to create with intention in a way that honors me and doesn’t lead to burnout. Tenacity is not about showing up perfectly; it’s about showing up in the studio consistently, even when I don’t feel like it. It’s about conditioning a muscle, a habit of creation, and never giving up on myself or my dreams, no matter what.
That mindset of resilience now informs my teaching. As an educator, I inspire my students to build technical skills with excellent craftsmanship while also having a tenacious mindset to push through fear, failure, and self-doubt, to believe that they are capable of anything! That’s where the real transformation happens.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist and educator creating sculptural forms through metalsmithing, jewelry, and large-scale public art installations. I specialize in creative stone setting, combining traditional metalsmithing techniques with organic, found materials like seeds, earth, and rocks. I enjoy pursuing multiple artistic interests, including creating public art installations, fine jewelry collections, and teaching jewelry-making.
My installation art often explores sacred geometry, repetition, and the concept of adornment, moving from body-scale to architectural scale. I’m proud that my Mountain Laurel Seed Wall Mandala II is part of Austin’s permanent public art collection at Austin City Hall, a wall mandala piece made from over 5,000 hand-placed Texas mountain laurel seeds.
I’ve shown artwork nationally in spaces like the Greater Denton Arts Council, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, ICOSA, and Texas State Galleries. I’ve run my creative business, Shalena White Studios, since 2006, managing every aspect: design, fabrication, photography, marketing, and fulfillment.
One of my great joys in life is teaching. I help students push boundaries, tell stories through their work, and aim for excellence in craftsmanship. I love that moment when students move through their doubt and surprise themselves with what they are capable of. I run hands-on jewelry-making classes at The Jeweler’s Saw in South Austin. I also share metalsmithing inspiration and education on my YouTube channel, Shalena White Studios. My mission as an educator is to empower metalsmiths of all levels to create with resilience by making metalsmithing accessible and fun! As an artist, my goal is to highlight the beauty of our world.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’ve learned a lot from voices like Jim Rohn and Tony Robbins, especially about a mindset, empowerment, discipline, living life on your terms, and how to keep moving forward no matter the circumstances.
The Radical Remission Project is an inspirational resource fundamental to my healing journey, which proves that if it’s possible for others in the world to heal, it’s possible for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shalenawhite.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalenawhitestudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalenawhitestudios
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shalena-white-studios/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ShalenaWStudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shalenawhitestudios
- Other: https://thejewelerssaw.org/
Image Credits
Images 1-5 taken by Thomas Jack Hilton. Images 7-8 taken by Ash Mathews
