Reticulation is sometimes called the black art of metalworking.
A silversmith creates a fine ripple-like pattern, transforming a hunk of cold, raw metal into an alluring object of beauty. Unique shapes and patterns emerge as the artisan carefully applies heat to a metal alloy – usually a combination of silver and copper – taking into account the metals' different melting points.
It's a technique Oak Bay jewelry designer Barbara Adams learned during her courses with master silversmith Judith Hirczy, and the wavy lines and shifting textures have come to define much of the silver work she produces under Barba Designs. It's a fitting form for someone who draws much inspiration from her oceanside community.
“I love the sea, and my creations are influenced by our surroundings and the joys of living near it,” Barbara says.
These influences are readily noticed in Barbara's Orca Series, which includes sea flower rings and earrings as well as her Star Light pebble earrings, bracelets and clasps. Each finely crafted piece embodies the striking contrast between the intense heat of the crafting process and the creation of such intricate pieces.
The story of Barba Designs predates that workshop by at least a few decades.
During undergrad, Barbara first came up with the name. With a knack for making her own clothing and accessories, she easily sold to others what she didn't keep for herself. In spite of the promising start, Barbara says life got in the way after graduation; a career as an elementary and middle school teacher, as well as the responsibilities of raising a family, took precedence over any thought of working full time as an artist.
A fortuitous meeting while completing an education degree at the University of British Columbia sparked Barbara's creativity and helped it flourish throughout her career. She thanks the man in charge of arts education for that. Sam Black, an accomplished B.C. artist, urged Barbara to infuse classes with her passion for the arts.
“I loved his class, and he encouraged me to use art throughout my lessons,” she says. “That was the beginning.”
Barbara quickly grew concerned by how little knowledge and training in the arts new teachers received, and the fact that art classes were optional for B.C. students after middle school gave her the worry that students were missing out.
“This annoyed me, but that became the impetus for the Artist in the School Program,” she says.
What followed was a kind of quest to bring art front and centre in the classroom. In the late 1990s, she launched Artist in the School at Monterey Elementary and Monterey Middle School, which continued through 2009.
The community was very supportive, but Barbara recalls some pushback from the teachers' union. They believed that funding ought to be provided by the provincial government, a well-intentioned proposition Barbara believes would have relegated the program to the bottom of a to-do list.
Instead, the self-funded program, which Barbara coordinated until 2009, relied on donations and proceeds from an annual art gala.
“It worked out well and much of the art is still evident in and around the school,” she says.
Her passion for bringing art into schools naturally developed into advocating for greater support for the arts throughout the Oak Bay community.
She held several board positions, including volunteer board member of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) from 1994-1999. In December 2013, Mayor Nils Jensen and Oak Bay councillors appointed her as Oak Bay Arts Laureate, a title she held until 2021.
“My objective was to raise the profile of the arts in Oak Bay,” she says. “It is my vision to have 25 permanent art installations throughout Oak Bay, incorporate culture as a partner in the Parks and Recreation Department, and revitalize Oak Bay's Public Art Policy.
“I consider myself an advocate for the arts, and I devote my time, energy and expertise to their importance in the development of creative problem solving, and well-being.”
Barbara's own artistic creations have been featured at The Avenue Gallery since 2011. She has since built a loyal following with jewelry that adds a unique wow factor to any outfit, according to gallery manager Kathleen Prince.
“Her bold statement pieces consistently captivate our clients, with many seeking out her work specifically,” Kathleen says. “Barbara has made a lasting contribution to the local arts community, and we are thrilled to support her continued success.”
Oddly enough, small pieces like jewelry were never something that really suited or interested Barbara in earlier years, she says.
That all changed when she was introduced to black Tahitian pearls while visiting London and Versailles. While the pearls captivated her, they were well beyond her budget. So, she found some turquoise in a jewelry shop that had heaps of interesting and unusual materials gathered from around the globe.
“It suddenly struck me,” she says. “I bought the turquoise pieces, created a necklace, and that was the start. I went to markets, found bead shops and started collecting. The name Barba Designs was put to use again, and that was 25 years ago.”
For Barbara, the intent is not to create a big business. "It has become my art form and hobby," she says. "I make every piece and sell most of them."
In her travels, Barbara collects unique items, pearls and semi-precious stones. She attends bead shows whenever possible as she deems it crucial to see and feel the materials she considers for her work.
“Forming Barba Design has allowed me to bring my passion for the arts and love of fashion into one, creating sensual and evocative pieces," she says. "Selling to clients in Victoria, Vancouver, and now beyond, my mission still holds true – unique designs to create personal style.”
