Galerie Louise Smit, Amsterdam

I've been saving the best for last. Out of all the galleries that I visited in The Netherlands, my favorite was Galerie Louise Smit, by far.

This Gallery, located on the Prinsengracht canal in Amsterday, has been open since the mid 1980's. Louise Smit specializes in contemporary studio jewelry, and hosts 10 solo shows in their small space while still keeping a large collection of contemporary work on permanent display. Additionally, Galerie Louise Smit publishes beautiful catalogues to accompany their solo exhibitions.

The gallery's collection of permanent work, including pieces by Doris Betz, Seth Papac, and Edgar Filipe Silva Mosa, represents a broad perspective. The 'result is a comprehensive and representative overview of the national and international avant-garde.' The Gallery has a great sense of exhibition design, and really let the artists install their work in non-traditiona ways, as you can see by the photographs of Volker Atrops' exhibition, Immortality, below.

Also, the galleriests on hand at Louise Smit were so gracious and helpful. The gallery seemed incredibly invested in the field of Contemporary Art Jewelry, and were also very knowledgeable about their house artists.

Rings: Globes/Fragmented 2011

Boxwood, colourd glue

Necklace: Untitled 2011

Boxwood, gold, silk

Necklace: Untitled 2011
Wood from a still living taxus(Eibe/Yew)tree mother plant, silver, pariser oxid