James Carter

James “Jimmy” Carter was born and raised on the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle. As a young adult he tried his hand at various trades working as a dental laboratory technician, a finish carpenter and a pipe fitter among other ventures. Eventually he became a civilian mariner in the US Merchant Marine.

While a member of the Merchant Marine he was introduced to forging and jewelry making. Over the next eight years he developed his skills and marketed his creations on the outdoor craft circuit.

In 1983 he decided to enroll at Florida State University in Tallahassee to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree under the tutelage of William Harper, a world renowned enamel artist. After receiving his BFA he went on to complete a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. In 1987 he accepted a teaching position at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. After five years as an academic art instructor he left the University to pursue a private career as a jewelry and enamel artist.

For the next fifteen years James Carter developed his unique jewelry and art object style. His work was featured and sold in prestigious galleries, international museum shows and exclusive craft markets. He received multiple awards including the Saul Bell Award, the Florida Arts Council Grant and an Award of Excellence at the Smithsonian Craft Show. He was published in many periodicals and trade journals. He also continued to teach as a guest instructor at the Alan Revere School Masters Symposium, the Mendocino Arts Center, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and many local and regional artists’ symposiums.