JURY OF ROMANIAN JEWELRY WEEK 2026

**David Sandu -** Curator and Founder of Romanian Jewelry Week

David Sandu is the first Romanian artist who made contemporary jewelry his main field of interest and expression. David Sandu participated in numerous exhibitions as an individual artist, gaining International recognition. In 2005, he opened his own designer jewelry gallery, and in 2010 he was appointed Supplier of the Royal House of Romania. In the same year, he founded the first private educational platform in Romania dedicated exclusively to jewelry design – Assamblage Contemporary Jewelry School. In 2020, he became a Founding Member and Curator of the international event Romania Jewelry Week, the largest event in Romania dedicated to the jewelry field.

**Giusy Morza -** Exhibition Manager of «Handwerk & Design» Munich, Germany

Giusy Morza is Exhibition Manager of «Handwerk & Design» in Munich, one of the leading exhibitions for applied arts, jewellery and design within the framework of the Internationale Handwerksmesse. Internationally renowned for its special exhibitions SCHMUCKmünchen, TALENTEmünchen and EXEMPLAmünchen, «Handwerk & Design» brings together artists, galleries, institutions and collectors from around the world and hosts the Herbert Hofmann Prize, one of the most respected awards in contemporary jewellery. Handwerk & Design is one of the leading exhibitions for contemporary craft, applied arts, jewellery and design, held annually in Munich as part of the Internationale Handwerksmesse. The exhibition brings together artists, makers, galleries, institutions and collectors from different countries and presents a wide range of disciplines, including jewellery, ceramics, glass, wood and textiles.

**Claudia Lassner –** Designer, Curator, and Co-Organisation for SCHMUCK münchen

Claudia Lassner is a jewellery designer and founder of her own label in Munich. As a graduate of Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences, she has been working for over 15 years at the intersection of design and craftsmanship. Her passion lies in uniting contemporary jewellery with meticulous artisanal execution and a distinctive design language. Since 2017, she has been part of the curatorial team at Galerie Handwerk in Munich, where she develops and organises exhibitions. She is also closely involved in the organisation of SCHMUCKmünchen, the internationally acclaimed special show for contemporary jewellery, and contributed to its recent rebranding, infusing the event with a fresh, forward-looking identity. Founded in 1959 by Herbert Hofmann, SCHMUCKmünchen is the world’s oldest exhibition for contemporary art jewellery.

**Bryna Pomp -** Director and Curator of MAD About Jewelry, Museum of Arts and Design, New York

Bryna Pomp is the director and curator of MAD About Jewelry (MAJ), the annual five-day sale of international contemporary jewelry, at the Museum of Arts and Design. MAD is the only museum in America with a gallery dedicated permanently to modern and contemporary jewelry. Additionally, more than half of the holdings in MAD’s permanent collection are pieces of jewelry. MAJ, which was formerly known by the name LOOT, is widely regarded as the most important opportunity in America for the public to see and to buy from this breadth and depth of international contemporary jewelry. This is the beginning of her 16th year as the director / curator of the event. During the past 15 editions, Bryna Pomp has curated the work of more than 800 different contemporary jewelers from approximately 40 different countries.

**Justyna Teodorczyk -** Director Of The Gallery Of Art In Legnica, Poland

Justyna Teodorczyk, graduate of the Wroclaw University, Poland. PhD in culture studies, art curator, educator, lecturer, artist mentor, organizer and main curator of the Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER (Poland). Since 2019 director, formerly (from 2006) employee of the Gallery of Art in Legnica – an institution which for over 40 years has been organising the Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER – one of the oldest and most important reviews of unique author’s jewellery in Europe. Curator of numerous exhibitions organized in frame of the Festival. She initiated a project which resulted in the creation of the website Biżuteria Artystyczna w Polsce (Artistic Jewellery in Poland) – www.bizuteriaartystycznawpolsce.legnica.eu. Apart from curating art jewellery shows and events, she is involved in exhibitions of contemporary art by Polish artists and numerous educational projects.

**Andreia Gabriela Popescu** - Senior Lecturer Assamblage Contemporary Jewelry School

Andreia Gabriela Popescu is a teacher, designer and jewelry manufacturer who creates unique and sophisticated contemporary jewelry since 2010, having multiple award-winning collections at prestigious international jewelry exhibitions. Her art is innovative and stands out through daring volumes, colors and special surface finishes. Her artworks are also notable for the brave way in which she chooses to combine precious metals and stones, in the same piece, which she works using traditional jewelry techniques, with alternative materials such as resin and corian, which she chooses and processes through innovative techniques, in order to support her concept from the basis of her works of art. She will designate the special Assamblage School Award at Romanian Jewelry Week.

Enzo Carbone - Founder and CEO of Prodes Italia, Artistar Jewels and Milano Jewelry Week

Enzo Carbone is an entrepreneur, designer, founder and CEO of Prodes Italia, established in Milan in 2010. His career began in design with Promotedesign.it and the development of the Lambrate Design District during Milan Fuorisalone, where he later coordinated the district. He expanded into jewelry and wine with Artistar Jewels, Milano Jewelry Week and Best Wine Stars, developing events, e-commerce platforms, and print and digital magazines. His work transforms communication projects into networking, promotion and business platforms, connecting creativity, brands, professionals and international markets.

**MYDAYBYDAY Gallery in Rome** Special Award

Mydaybyday space, is a Gallery in Rome which promotes and sells contemporary jewelry both onsite & online. It offers services of communication & advertising on various social medias.

**Irina Probst,** Exhibition Manager at INHORGENTA MUNICH

Irina Probst is Exhibition Manager at INHORGENTA MUNICH, where she is responsible for the Contemporary Jewelry Design section. She curates and develops exhibition formats for contemporary jewelry, presenting emerging and established artists and designers within an international trade fair context. Her work focuses on identifying current developments in contemporary jewelry, assessing artistic and design approaches, and creating visibility for new positions in the field. Through her professional involvement, she contributes to the presentation and promotion of contemporary jewelry design at one of Europe’s leading jewelry trade fairs.
INHORGENTA is Europe’s leading platform for jewelry, watches, and gemstones. Held annually in Munich, it brings together international jewelry brands, manufacturers, designers and artists, retailers, galleries, and industry professionals.

**Byron Vafeiadis -** Curator of Education and Collections at Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum

Byron Vafeiadis is a museum professional with a background in museology, museography, and exhibition design. He holds a master's degree in Applied – Clinical Sociology and the Arts, with a focus on Mental Health and Community Art. His hands-on experience in metalsmithing and decorative arts enhances his ability to understand and engage with the making process. The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum (ILJM) is a non-profit cultural institution dedicated to the art and history of jewelry. Founded in 1994 in Athens, it is the first and only museum of its kind in Greece, serving as an international hub for research, education, and exhibition in the decorative arts. Its permanent collection highlights the life’s work of Ilias Lalaounis, with over 4,500 pieces from 50 collections designed between 1957 and 2002. Through curated exhibitions, academic programs, and initiatives such as residencies and workshops, ILJM promotes cross-disciplinary dialogue and innovation.

SPECIAL AWARDS JURY MEMBERS

**Muriel Piaser** - Founder Precious Room by Muriel Piaser

Muriel Piaser is an international artistic consultant, expert in fashion, public relations and international brands development strategies. She is known for her major actions as Exhibition Director of the famous trade show «Prêt-à-porter Paris» in France, New-York, and Tokyo. After graduating from the EFAP in 1994, Piaser started building her strong reputation as a public relations expert, working for some of the greatest contemporary fashion designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Atsuro Tayama. Launched in 2011, Muriel Piaser Consulting has the purpose of offering services to the greatest pillars of the fashion industry. Piaser has been providing counselling to companies working on emerging markets, designers or famous international brands for over 15 years.

**Lost in Jewelry Magazine** Special Award

A new International Art jewellery showcase. 'Lost in Jewellery Magazine' is the official online magazine of Mydaybyday Gallery in Rome, Italy. The magazine goal, is to give International contemporary jewellery Artists & participating Galleries & Other Institutions, a 'SPOTLIGHT', a place where they can make their 'Voices' heard.

**Revista Atelierul** Special Award

Revista Atelierul (Atelierul Magazine) has been establishing since 2010 an international intercultural dialogue between the creators and the public, a well-defined mix of established and beginner product designers and creators, becoming an active platform for networking and inspiration.

**Magdalena Vélez Salinas,** President and Co-founder of
AdOC and organizer of the Exhibition· Contemporary Goldsmithing

Architect by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain), lecturer at the Escuela de Arquitectura of the Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio and Plastic Arts and Artistic Goldsmith and Silversmith Design by the Escuela de Arte 3 in Madrid, she combines professional activities with artistic investigation. Cofounder and President of the Association of Contemporary Jewelry and Goldsmithing Designers (Asociación de Diseñadores de Orfebrería y Joyería Contemporáneas, AdOC), based in Madrid and finalist of the National Craftmanship Award, which organises annually the Exhibition·Contemporary Goldsmithing in several Madrid museums and within the Madrid Design Festival, and at the same time as the Semana de Arte – ARCO, contributing to the city transformation into the global capital of contemporary art.

**Jennifer Altmann -** Freelance journalist, New York

I’m a freelance journalist based in New York City who specializes in writing about contemporary jewelry. After graduating from Vassar College and Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, I started my career at a small-town newspaper in South Carolina before working at the Associated Press, Time Magazine and other publications. My work has appeared in The New York Times’ Style section, The Washington Post and many other outlets. I chronicle the international world of contemporary jewelry on Instagram and for magazines. In 2025, Art Jewelry Forum named me one of four women “with their ring fingers on the pulse of the art jewelry scene.” I have written for Metalsmith Magazine, Art Jewelry Forum, Klimt02 and other outlets. Jennifer's forthcoming book, Rejeweled: Ordinary Objects Become Extraordinary Adornments, will be published on Earth Day in 2029 by Arnoldsche Art Publishers. I teach workshops and host panels at the biggest jewelry events of the year, including Romanian Jewelry Week, Schmuck/Munich Jewelry Week and NYC Jewelry Week.

**Jessica Armstrong -**
Owner Pistachios Contemporary Art Jewelry
Chicago

Jessica Armstrong is not only a trained contemporary art jeweler, but also the Owner of Pistachios Contemporary Art Jewelry in Chicago, Illinois. Jessica received her MFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and has continued her education at various institutions by taking workshops. Armstrong’s work has been featured both internationally and throughout the United States. Additionally, Armstrong has been a Visiting Lecturer for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2025 and 2023, as well as Guest Lecturer for Halstead’s Jewelry Business Forum in 2024 and Stay Gold Collective in 2023. As sole Owner of Pistachios since 2018, Armstrong has proudly continued the gallery’s 30+ year legacy.

Monica Cecchini - Founder of Incinque Open Art Monti and Rome Jewelry Week

Monica Cecchini is an architect, interior designer, technical consultant, and curator of artistic and cultural events. In 2016, she founded Incinque Open Art Monti, now a leading reference point for contemporary jewelry in Rome, where she promotes dialogue between art, architecture, design, and traditional craftsmanship. Since 2019, she has focused her main activities on contemporary jewelry, and since 2023, she has developed a residency program dedicated to contemporary jewelry, welcoming artists, designers, and master goldsmiths. In 2021, she founded and continues to direct Rome Jewelry Week, an international event that promotes jewelry as an art form and cultural language, bringing together artists, designers, master goldsmiths, and professionals from around the world.