Lizzy Gladstone received her M.S. in International Management from Franklin in May 2016, graduating with distinction and completed a program with the Scuola del Cuoio in Florence in December 2016. As an artist and maker, she serves as the lead designer and creative director of a small, artisanal leather goods and textile company that creates thoughtful objects of fashion and utility.
Lizzy has an extensive creative background that includes fine jewelry-smithing and design, blacksmithing, classical architectural-woodcarving, furniture design, weaving, industrial sewing in a high-end menswear company, as well as two decades of atelier life drawing. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including the OCAC Art on the Vine Auction hosted by the Portland Museum of Art (2012 & 2014), In-forms at Union Pine - Portland OR (2011) and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (2010.) A true representative of the students who enter Franklin's MSIM program, Lizzy has a broad educational background. Lizzy studied blacksmithing at the Appalachian Center for Craft, where she worked as a woodturning instructor at a regional outreach program to bring art and craft to rural middle-school students. Moving from Tennessee, Lizzy continued her exploration of the intricacies of craft and process at the Oregon College of Art and Craft. She received her BFA in metal-smithing from OCAC in 2012.
Q: Tell us more about what are you doing now that you’ve graduatedA: I’m currently working to expand my knowledge on how to design and craft luxury handbags with a master leather atelier in Italy. After completing the program here, I’m returning to Texas to begin the re-launch of my leather goods company, Sun Nation.
Q: Which skills that you learned in the MSIM program do you find to be the most valuable?A: It’s a hard thing to narrow down. The gift of knowledge bestowed in a graduate program matures and evolves over time and I am just starting to explore my new skills. Some things that I appreciate the most are: cultivating a balance between action and contemplation, being receptive to different ideas,and the ability to listen with care and intention. Q: What is your favorite memory from the program?A: Cooking good food with good friends. Q: Do you have any advice for current or prospective graduate students?A: Arm yourself with an open mind, patience and a good sense of humor.
Born in Berkeley, CA, Lizzy grew up in the sunshine and vivacious culture of San Antonio, TX. An artist at heart, she hopes to use her business to bring social, economic, and creative empowerment to those in need.