Blackhawk Gallery artist nominated for NICHE Award

Blackhawk Gallery vendor and designer Dave Rowswell has been selected as a finalist in the 2014 NICHE Awards, for his piece entitled “Rounded Edge Brown Cuff Bracelet with Gold Interior” in the “Fiber Wearable” category.

Rowswell, a jewelry designer for Rawhide Studio in Cheyenne, has his artistic creations both shown and sold at the Blackhawk Gallery in Saratoga. According to the studio’s website, http://www.rawhidestudio.com, Rowswell has been working with rawhide as a sculptural material, and has experimented with its physical properties to develop a line of lightweight, durable and contemporary jewelry.

Rowswell’s designed jewelry includes earrings, cuff bracelets and necklaces. His work is also shown at art galleries in Centennial, Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne.

“We started carrying his jewelry in the late summer, and his rawhide earrings and cuff bracelets have sold really well,” said Gwen Gorton, manager at Blackhawk Art Gallery. “His stuff is gorgeous and so unique, and it is made from rawhide. His cuff bracelets are also made from old recycled leather belts, and are about $28.”

Gorton said Rowswell’s whole array of rawhide jewelry is affordable, ranging from $25 to $48, and that there is a unique process used in creating the material.

“He dyes the rawhide he uses, and the earring wires on his earrings are hypoallergenic and really light,” she said. “He approached us and we immediately started selling his stuff. It’s such a good line.”

Only 174 entries out of more than 1,000 submissions were named as finalists in this year’s competition, and the awards program is sponsored by NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for independent retailers. Now in its 25th year, the NICHE Awards program began in 1989 to recognize the outstanding creative achievements of American craft artists who produce work for craft galleries and retail stores.

Judging is based on three main criteria, including technical excellence, both in surface design and form, market viability and a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought.

Winners of the 2014 NICHE Awards will be announced Saturday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in conjunction with Buyers Market of American Craft. Applications for the 2015 NICHE Awards are available in Spring 2014.