In Memoriam: Arline M. Fisch
Professor Emerita Arline Marie Fisch, founder of the Jewelry and Metalwork program at San Diego State University, was a renowned artist, educator, writer, and jeweler whose work made a profound impact on contemporary jewelry and metalwork.
Born in 1931, Fisch was celebrated for her groundbreaking use of textile techniques in metal, especially her pioneering work in knitted and woven metal jewelry. Her unique approach beautifully blended metalwork and textile design, resulting in pieces that are both wearable art and sculptural expressions. By knitting, plaiting, and crocheting with gold, silver, and colored copper wire, Fisch created lightweight yet dense, flexible forms with stunning, light-reflective textures in vibrant colors. She played a central role in establishing jewelry as a significant contemporary art form in the 20th century.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Fisch earned a B.S. in Art Education from Skidmore College and an M.A. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She studied silversmithing at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen in 1956-57. In 1966-67 she returned to Denmark on a Fulbright scholarship for further training in metalsmithing. This period of study, as well as research trips to museum collections in Mexico and Latin America deeply impacted her aesthetic and technical approaches to body adornment. Fisch often credited her childhood visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she was captivated by ancient Egyptian and Etruscan jewelry, as a lasting influence on her work.
As a teacher, Arline Fisch touched the lives of generations of students, encouraging them to push the boundaries of metalwork and jewelry design. Her long tenure at San Diego State University, from 1961 to her retirement in 2000, helped build the university’s jewelry and metals program into one of the most respected in the country. She nurtured her students’ creativity, championed experimentation, and emphasized the importance of craftsmanship and conceptual depth.
Many of her students went on to become influential artists and educators, carrying on her legacy of innovation and excellence. In 2000, the SDSU Love Library’s Special Collections acquired Fisch’s archives, including documents, syllabi, exhibition slides, and other materials related to the university’s Jewelry and Metalwork Program. Arline was a founding member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), serving as president from 1982 to 1985. In 2002, Fisch received SNAG’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of metalsmithing. As a pioneering woman in a field historically dominated by men, Fisch broke barriers and became a role model for women artists everywhere, showing that it’s possible to innovate, lead, and leave a lasting mark on the art world.
Beyond her teaching, Arline Fisch was a prolific writer and authored several influential texts, including Textile Techniques in Metal, which remains a foundational reference for artists working in metal. Her writings have deepened the understanding of metalwork as an art form, helping to bridge the gap between traditional craft and contemporary art.
Fisch's contributions to contemporary jewelry have been celebrated worldwide. Her work has been exhibited in prestigious museums and galleries across the globe, and she received numerous accolades for her artistic and educational achievements. Her works are held in the collections of top institutions, including the Kunstindustrimuseet in Oslo, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto, the Renwick Gallery in Washington D.C., the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh, the Vatican Museum in Rome, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the Mingei International Museum in San Diego. In 1985, she was honored as a "Living Treasure of California" by the State Assembly.
Arline had a deep love for opera, macaroons, and making a bold statement with her clothing and jewelry. Known for her vibrant wardrobe, she always adorned herself with her spectacular creations. She famously told her students, "If you don’t wear it, why should anyone else?"—a mantra that continues to resonate with her students and mentees today.
Arline Fisch’s influence lives on through the dynamic community of artists and jewelers she mentored and inspired. The thriving program she built at SDSU and the legacy of her work will continue to shape the future of contemporary jewelry and metalwork for generations to come.
Arline is survived by her loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews - and many many friends and admirers.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Arline Fisch Jewelry and Metalwork Endowed Scholarship at SDSU.
