Worden Named CWU Distinguished Alumni In Arts And Humanities

October 11, 2004

Contact: Tess McShane (509-963-1423/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: mcshanet@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Nancy Worden is an internationally known jewelry designer, teacher and a leader in her field of art. She is also the recipient of the Central Washington University Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Arts and Humanities.

Recipients of the award must have received an undergraduate or graduate degree from CWU, be recognized for achievement in their professional field and have made a positive contribution to society.

"My current passion is as an advocate for jewelry and metalworking programs in secondary schools," said Worden. "In 2002, I initiated and produced the first statewide metal arts exhibition for high school students called 'Passing the Torch,' now in its third year. This is the best way I can repay the excellent teachers I had as a student and help to promote future jewelry artists."

Worden first learned the art of jewelry making as a student at Ellensburg High School. She went on to receive her bachelor's degree in fine arts from CWU in 1977, and received a master of fine arts degree in jewelry and metalsmithing from the University of Georgia in 1980.

Worden has been a professional studio artist since 1981 and is currently an artist in residence for the Washington State Arts Commission and works in the arts education program at Madrona K-8 school in Seattle.

She has also been an instructor at CWU in a workshop offered by the office of continuing education and the Seattle Metals Guild. Her work is in major private and public collections in the U.S. and Europe and has been published in several books, magazines and newspapers.

She has been awarded several different honors including a commission from the City of Seattle for their portable works collection, an Artist Trust Grant, Dunbar Jewelers Award for Creative Jewelry Design and an honorable mention in the 1979 Sterling Silver Design Competition.

Worden is a member of the Seattle Metals Guild, Society of North American Goldsmiths and the Olympic Music Festival Board. She, her husband, William Reed, and daughter, Avery, live in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle.