The Reboli Center is delighted to announce Bay Area Goldsmith, K. Reboli, as our feature Artisan of the Month for the month of December, 2024. As the saying goes, the proverbial apple doesn’t fall far from the tree… K. Reboli is the daughter of the renowned, late artist Joseph Reboli, and retired art teacher and co-founder of the Reboli Center, Lois Reboli. “I am so proud that she has been chosen by the Center’s curators to be the featured artisan for December,” said Lois Reboli.
According to K. Reboli, “Creativity was a part of everyday life in our household growing up on the East Coast. With an accomplished oil painter father and a mother who dedicated her life to teaching art, I couldn’t help but be influenced by the handcrafted arts that surrounded me. One of my fondest memories is watching my father trade his paintings for beautiful jewelry to surprise my mother. Seeing the joy that those carefully chosen pieces brought her left a lasting impression on me—I realized how jewelry could celebrate love in the most tangible form. “
While still living in New York, K. attended school as a fine arts major with a focus in drawing and painting. In 2013, she relocated to California to study fine metal smithing at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco. From there, she went to apprentice under her academy instructors for over 8 years, a husband-and-wife Master Goldsmith and Stone Setting team with a combined 60+ years of experience in the jewelry industry, Yas and Roberta Tanaka. The goldsmithing tradition in the Tanaka family is six generations long, originating in Japan where Yas’s ancestors fabricated Samurai armor.
Several years ago, K. Reboli was asked to return to the Revere Academy as an instructor. She says she was truly honored by this invitation and that it was exciting to have come full circle as a former student to now as a teacher.
K. Reboli primarily works in gold and diamonds, and is inspired by clean lines and staples in her personal jewelry wardrobe. In her designs, she likes to integrate elegance and simplicity with the occasional bit of edge.
K. explains, “Each piece is unique and presents its own challenges. I prefer working in precious metals and gemstones. I love the fact that I create in materials that will last the test of time. My pieces are made to be loved for a lifetime, then passed on. I find myself leaning toward unique diamonds that you wouldn’t find in just any high end jewelry collection. I really enjoy the contrast of yellow gold and black diamonds.”
In addition to the Tanakas, Kate says she has been lucky to have many great influences in her life. “Among them are my Mother, whom I seem to be turning into more and more each day. Past mentors have helped me to grow my arsenal of technical skills, and my close friends are an immense support in pushing me to create what I feel called to,” added K. Reboli.
Visitors can view and shop the latest K. Reboli collection at the Reboli Center through the month of December 2024. The Reboli Center is free, and open to the public Tuesday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm.
Enjoy a chance to meet the artist at our special holiday pop-up event!
