Vacheron Constantin, The Met Unveil Inaugural Artists In Residency Winners

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Vacheron Constantin have named the three inaugural winners of their joint Artisan Residency Program: Aspen Golann, a U.S.-born furniture maker; Ibrahim Said, a ceramicist from Egypt; and Joy Harvey, a jeweler based in Italy. Each brings a unique mastery of traditional crafts — woodworking, ceramics, and goldsmithing—into conversation with modern forms and meanings. The concept is akin to the mastery of watchmaking that Vacheron Constantin has employed for centuries as the oldest continually operating Swiss watch brand.

To celebrate the announcement of the artists’ 18-month residency,  a wonderful evening gala was held at The Met Cloisters, marking a significant moment in Vacheron Constantin’s ongoing 270th-anniversary celebrations, its commitment to craftsmanship and heritage and its dedication to preserving the arts of the past via its work with The Met.

I was one of a very select group of journalists invited to attend this magical night at the Cloisters, where the three winners were introduced. Surrounded by medieval architecture and priceless artifacts, I had the opportunity to speak with each of them, as well as members of the jury. I was struck not only by the precision of their work—a few select pieces were on display beside historical treasures—but also by the eloquence with which they spoke of their practices. Each artisan conveyed a profound understanding of their craft’s history and its relevance today. Their quiet confidence and cross-cultural perspectives reflected the thoughtful rigor of this program.

The Vacheron Constantin x Met Artisan Residency program is a landmark initiative, reflecting both institutions’ dedication to sustaining and evolving traditional craftsmanship. The 18-month residency is designed to support research, creation, and public engagement for artisans who embody technical virtuosity and innovation.

The program begins with a research phase, during which the selected artisans will spend time at The Met in New York and at Vacheron Constantin’s ateliers in Geneva. There, they will explore historical techniques, draw inspiration from art and timepieces, and benefit from mentorship by experts. The second phase will see each artisan develop a major original work that reinterprets a traditional craft through a modern lens. The final phase will bring them back to The Met in 2026 for public programming and the presentation of their completed works.

Applications were welcomed from around the globe, and the selection process involved three rounds of review by a jury of curators, artists, and educators. The final choices are impressive:

Aspen Golann reinvents American furniture forms to challenge and reflect on power structures in craft. She is also the founder of The Chairmaker’s Toolbox, a project promoting access and equity in woodworking.

Ibrahim Said draws from Egypt’s centuries-old ceramic tradition, creating bold, intricate forms that push the limits of clay both structurally and aesthetically.

Joy Harvey, whose training in chemistry informs her deep exploration of materials, merges Armenian and Florentine jewelry traditions into sculptural expressions of imperfection, beauty, and aging.

It will be interesting to watch the progress of these individuals.