The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore is preparing for the first major museum retrospective of one of their most beloved homegrown artists, Betty Cooke. In the fall of 2021, the modernistic works that explore creative themes inspired by the natural world will be on collective display for new generations to discover.

Sculptured jewelry designs from the 1940s to present will be included in this premier event. Although Betty Cooke has many pieces on display worldwide in various collections, including a spot in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, The Walters will be the first comprehensive display of her work as a whole.

Including more than 160 pieces, the “Circle And The Line” exhibition will be accompanied by many design sketches of wedding rings for women, photographs, and early designs. The collection will be gathered from numerous private and public collections, with many pieces making their first appearance on the display.

Quoted as saying, “If you have a circle and a line, you can make anything”, Betty Cooke spent her design career taking inspiration from the natural world to create unique jewelry and statuesque statements that have stood the test of time. It is said that wearing a piece of the Cooke collection is like being adorned by a living statue. For over seven decades, Betty Cooke has poured her unique and deep personal meanings into every piece of her collection. Her inspiration started as a child while she visited the Walters and enjoyed many exhibits that would become embedded in her work.

Born in Baltimore in 1924, Betty Cooke attended the Maryland Institute College of Art, gaining a degree as a teacher and creating her artwork on the side. She went on to be an instructor at the same institute for over 22 years. One of her students, William. O. Steinmetz caught her particular attention for his inspired architectural imagination, and they married in 1955. For many years, these two creative minds worked together in a small studio and showroom just blocks from the Walters Art Institute on Tyson Street. They made it a regular habit to visit the institute’s modern exhibits and admire Baltimore’s artistic community.

In 1965, Cooke and her husband moved to the North Baltimore community of Cross Keys, where they opened The Store Ltd as a base for their operations. The same franchise is celebrating 55 years in operation. The classy style of the inventory and inventive jewelry designs have never gone out of style.

For over 70 years, the works of Betty Cooke have been celebrated around the world. Countless fashion designers have paired their collections with some of her most recognizable jewelry pieces as they make their runway debuts. She has been featured on the pages of Vogue in several international publications. DeBeers have bestowed the Diamond Today award on Cooke twice in her career. In 1996, she was honored as a Fellow of the American Craft Council.

The Walters Art Museum is excited to announce the upcoming exhibit featuring the premier collection of the best of Betty Cooke. Visit the museum website for updates and additions to the exhibition and to reserve your tickets today.