A Promise Kept: The Extraordinary Life of Mary Ann Scherr
"She inspired so many of today's jewelers with her way of thinking, way of looking, and way of being." - Randy Scherr
Join our Modern & Glass Director, Luke Newbold, as he sits down with Randy Scherr for an intimate conversation exploring the extraordinary life and legacy of his mother, the renowned jewelry artist and industrial designer Mary Ann Scherr. From her early experiments with enamel jewelry and bowls, Mary Ann forged a path defined by curiosity, innovation, and purpose. Though best known for her jewelry, she was equally a devoted teacher and mother, embodying the belief that she could be anything she set her mind to.
Her passion for art and design began in high school and carried her to the Cleveland Institute of Art. From there, she made history as the first female car designer at Ford Motor Company, creating automotive interiors in the late 1940s. During this time, she met Sam Scherr, her life and creative partner, who worked at rival General Motors. When their relationship was discovered, both were let go from their positions—a turning point Randy describes as the "best thing that ever happened" to their family. Together, they opened their own studio, collaborating on early American industrial design and paving the way for Mary Ann’s most influential work.
Mary Ann’s jewelry was as functional as it was beautiful. A moment of compassion at a Penland picnic table led Mary Ann to design a necklace specifically crafted to elegantly cover a tracheotomy. In 1974, she designed an intricately
etched sterling silver and amber “Electric Oxygen Pendant,” which featured a ten-minute oxygen supply and a discrete sound system. Randy further discusses his mother's technical brilliance, highlighting her groundbreaking use of electrical currents and titanium. She developed a specialized pen to "paint" intricate, multicolored designs onto metal, later incorporating etching as a foundational layer of her aesthetic.
Equally impactful was Mary Ann’s gift for teaching. At the Penland School of Craft, she relentlessly pushed her own boundaries while inspiring others to explore new techniques. “It was an intensity that was infectious and incredible,” Randy recalls. Honoring his mother’s final wish that her work be shared with the public rather than hidden away, Randy is offering a rare opportunity to experience her genius firsthand. We invite you to explore this remarkable collection and other exceptional works in our Contemporary & Fine Craft Jewelry Auction, which opens for live-online bidding on Wednesday, January 28 at 10:00 am. Pre-bidding is available now.
Her passion for art and design began in high school and carried her to the Cleveland Institute of Art. From there, she made history as the first female car designer at Ford Motor Company, creating automotive interiors in the late 1940s. During this time, she met Sam Scherr, her life and creative partner, who worked at rival General Motors. When their relationship was discovered, both were let go from their positions—a turning point Randy describes as the "best thing that ever happened" to their family. Together, they opened their own studio, collaborating on early American industrial design and paving the way for Mary Ann’s most influential work.
Mary Ann’s jewelry was as functional as it was beautiful. A moment of compassion at a Penland picnic table led Mary Ann to design a necklace specifically crafted to elegantly cover a tracheotomy. In 1974, she designed an intricately
etched sterling silver and amber “Electric Oxygen Pendant,” which featured a ten-minute oxygen supply and a discrete sound system. Randy further discusses his mother's technical brilliance, highlighting her groundbreaking use of electrical currents and titanium. She developed a specialized pen to "paint" intricate, multicolored designs onto metal, later incorporating etching as a foundational layer of her aesthetic.
Equally impactful was Mary Ann’s gift for teaching. At the Penland School of Craft, she relentlessly pushed her own boundaries while inspiring others to explore new techniques. “It was an intensity that was infectious and incredible,” Randy recalls. Honoring his mother’s final wish that her work be shared with the public rather than hidden away, Randy is offering a rare opportunity to experience her genius firsthand. We invite you to explore this remarkable collection and other exceptional works in our Contemporary & Fine Craft Jewelry Auction, which opens for live-online bidding on Wednesday, January 28 at 10:00 am. Pre-bidding is available now.
Contemporary & Fine Craft Jewelry Auction
January 28 at 10:00 am ET
January 28 at 10:00 am ET
