None

Ellen Wieske is known as an artist, metalsmith, goldsmith, educator, gallery owner, curator, author, and arts administrator. Her primary career as a metalsmith started after receiving an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Arts, then working in the industry for 18 years as a stone setter and jeweler in Detroit. During this time, Ellen’s knowledge of the diamond and gold mining industry informed her work to move away from these traditional materials to using steel, tin, and found objects. She is well known for her wire work and for creating preciousness in everyday materials.

Second to her career as an artist, Wieske is well known for her 25+ year tenure at Haystack Mountain School of Craft. Introduced to the school as a technical assistant, Wieske has had many roles including assistant director since 2005, deputy director in 2017, interim director in 2022, summer workshop instructor, and high school mentorship program leader. Her work has been integral to shaping the school’s programming and leadership of the faculty, overseeing the facility, and organizing programming and scholarships. Her time at Haystack has positively impacted hundreds of students, leading others to connect through craft and create a more equitable inclusion on and off campus.