Although Jamie Obermeier, assistant professor of metals and jewelry design, may not have started out with a passion for art as young as most, he became talented in a short amount of time.

That all artists are born as artists is a common misconception, Obermeier said.

“It’s hard work, as is everything,” Obermeier said.

He started out in college as a criminal justice major. In his sophomore year he enrolled in a metals course, and changed his major the following semester.

“I knew about mid-semester and just changed everything, even though the chances of succeeding are usually really low,” Obermeier said.

Obermeier was awarded the Ironwood Gallery Most Creative Use of Media Award in CRAFT USA ‘05, the Fifth National Juried Craft Triennial competition/exhibition at the Silvermine Guild Arts Center of New Canaan, Conn. The award was given for his sterling silver, steel, paint and seed piece titled “Resource Consumption.”

Obermeier makes everything from jewelry to furniture. He is most inspired by the relations between humans and nature.

“There isn’t really much of nature left,” Obermeier said. “Everything is controlled.”

Today, Obermeier enjoys working with other students.

“I’m always really impressed by the kinds of things students want to try,” Obermeier said. “They always want to try new things. It’s inspiring.”

Obermeier worked for three years at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. as Master of Fine Arts in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design.

Since 2004, he is in charge of running the metals area at NIU. He is responsible for undergraduate and graduate students. He said he felt NIU offered him the best place to get in on the ground level and gave him more freedom to build his own program.

Adrian Tio, director of the School of Art, said Obermeier was hired not only to teach the course, but to revamp the studio facility as well as reconsider the curriculum for the program.

“He’s done quite well handling the responsibilities that have been put on his shoulders,” Tio said.

His talent working with metals is one reason the search committee wanted to hire Obermeier.

“He’s a top flight metalsmith from one of the top premier graduate programs in the country,” Tio said.

Helen Klisser During, gallery director for the Silvermine Guild Arts Center, said she felt Obermeier’s piece was witty and had immaculate craftsmanship.

“It’s playful. It holds you,” Klisser During said. “It’s not just looking at shininess.”

A small piece carrying such weight and placing seeds with a sterling silver piece is very creative, Klisser During said.

“It’s a very small piece, but carries a great punch,” Klisser During said.

The national competition is held every three years, and receives close to 1,000 entries, said Nancy Helle, program director for the Silvermine Guild Arts Center. One hundred fifty-five works were selected for exhibition from 89 artists and 11 prizes were awarded. Obermeier received a $250 award for his piece.