Gene Chavez Biography
Gene Chavez was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, the second to the oldest of eight siblings. He attributes the beginning of his artistic abilities to the time spent working in the auto-body industry as a teen. This having exposed him to opportunities with welding and metal fabrication, Gene’s working with both an acetylene torch and mig-welding, he began developing those skills that greatly enabled him in his Silversmithing journey.
In Gene’s early twenties, he became a cosmetologist and later a professional photographer, which he feels has helped him with his creative design abilities. September 2023 he visited family in New Mexico and the inspiration for him to start Silversmithing was sparked! Gene started learning from YouTube tutorials, but January 1st, 2024, he claims that as the official beginning of his ‘formal’ Silversmithing education. On that date he began Silversmithing classes at Mark Arts in Wichita, Kansas, under the direction of Silversmith instructor Lori Martin-Price. Gene states, “My Silversmithing mindset and jewelry designs have flourished over my short journey!”
Gene is an entrepreneurial spirit! Current owner/stylist of Andover Hair Company in Andover, KS, owner/photographer of Gene Chavez Photography and now Gene Chavez Lapidary/Silversmith designs.
Dagger and Rose Bio
Everett and Rosa Mendenhall are the husband and wife team behind Dagger and Rose Jewelry.
Everett was born in California and moved to Kansas as a child. Rosa is a native of Hutchinson
whose maternal grandmother instilled in her a love for making things by hand and silver jewelry.
Everett has had a lifelong fascination with art and rocks but in 2022 those interests collided.
What began as a desire to learn more about particular stones, grew into a passion for lapidary
art. He cuts a variety of stones for silversmiths and collectors but lately opals have been his
favorite challenge.
Everett and Rosa both began taking Silversmithing/Jewelry Design classes at Hutchinson
Community College with Lori Martin-Price in 2022. At the time, Everett was starting to cut stones
at home and within weeks he and Rosa started building a Silversmithing Studio.
Since then they have both worked hard to grow their skills. They feel grateful to be part of a
vibrant and generous community of artists locally and online.
In their free time they enjoy spending time with their three rescue dogs, gaming and generally
being crafty.
Lori Martin-Price Biography
Lori was born in Berkeley, California, but joyfully raised in Kansas. She and her husband, Ray Price Jr., and their youngest son Cole, reside on her family’s farm near Inman, KS. After achieving her Associates in Graphic Design at Hutchinson Community College in ‘88, Lori remained at HCC for another year where she was introduced to Beth ‘Piglet’ VanNatta and the beginning of the Metalsmithing program at HCC. This was also the spark that ignited Lori’s desire to ‘play with fire’ and change direction in her fine arts schooling career. She transferred to the University of Kansas where she obtained her BFA in jewelry design and metalsmithing under the instruction of Olli Valane and Jon Havener, completing their 4 year program in 2 years, graduating in ’91.
Once out of college, Lori was sent many opportunities from former instructor/mentor ‘Piglet’, among them being; teaching Fibers for one semester at Sterling College, the current Metalsmithing/Jewelry Design Instructor at the Wichita Center for the Arts, now known as MARK ARTS (since ‘96), and the current HCC Lifelong Learning program instructor of Silversmithing/Jewelry Design (since ’12). Along with these teaching venues, Lori is the full time K-12 Art Instructor for Elyria Christian School in McPherson, KS.
Lori has repeatedly had her work at the Artful Taste of Autumn event, Raymer Red Barn Artist Studio tours, Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery Christmas Show, and Clayworks DS-Hutchinson professional Gallery. She is the Chairman of the McPherson County Student Art Exhibit and Scholarship Competition which provides scholarships to high school seniors in McPherson County that are pursuing Art as a major in college. Lori has also juried several times for the Scholastics Art & Writing Gold Key Awards-Regional Art Competition, as well as for the Bradly Fair Autumn & Art Juried Art Event in Wichita, KS.
Lori loves to share her passion of all the Medias of art, especially metals and jewelry design. Being able to teach and encourage others to be creative, just as God has ‘created’ us to be, gives her great joy!
Gwen McClenton – “Gweneth Originals”
For over 20 years I have been a Human Resources professional. Through that experience I came to recognize the need to explore my inner creative child that would bring enjoyment. So, a year ago I started dabbling in copper jewelry making having great fun along the way, however, I came to a point at being self taught that I knew I needed more. In January of this year I started a silversmithing class and immediately realized I was hooked! What a wonderful ride this has been as I have learned new techniques and processes. Recognizing the beauty of the natural gemstones
My eye is drawn to the warmer tones of the copper and brass and natural semi-precious gemstones but the silver brings a completely different experience. I have come to find my “fun” and I am so loving the opportunity to learn new things and engage with a new community of people on this artistic adventure.
I have two grown daughters who lovingly cheer me on as well as act as ambassadors for my creations! So come along and enjoy this journey with me….the best is yet to come!
