Visionary Designs of Bill Smith, t.j. Opening at NYC Jewelry Week 2026

Grand opening and author introduction. Meet award-winning author JoAnne Spiller, curator of the Bill Smith jewelry collection at the Jefferson Co. History + Art Center, coordinator of the traveling exhibition, + avid collector of his work.

JoAnne Spiller, award-winning author of Visionary Designs by Bill Smith, t.j., and curator of the permanent collection of his work in Bill's hometown of Madison, Indiana, will be exhibiting approximately 100 pieces of his jewelry at The Hatbox in the Refinery Hotel. Pieces from his original design firm, Smith-St. Jacques, as well as Richelieu and Laguna, will be on display among color photographs featuring his fashion magazine covers and newspaper advertisements. The gallery will be open daily Tuesday through Saturday, and JoAnne will be giving twice-daily programs on Bill's life and designs. Books will be available for purchase.

The Hatbox is a fully accessible space.

Contributors:
JoAnne M Spiller is the award winning author of Visionary Designs by Bill Smith, t.j., a biography and catalog of the late Black jewelry designer's designs. She is curator of the permanent collection at the Jefferson County History and Art Center in Bill's hometown of Madison, Indiana, and is the coordinator of the traveling exhibit, currently at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.

NYCJW26: November 16–22, 2026

Each November, NYC Jewelry Week presents The Week, a seven-day celebration of jewelry and the people, ideas, and craftsmanship behind it. NYCJW26 brings together a global audience for a dynamic mix of in-person and virtual experiences across New York City and beyond.

Explore the full , featuring exhibitions, shopping experiences, retail collaborations, talks, panels, workshops, demonstrations, tours, and more. Virtual programs will be streamed on YouTube, while in-person events offer opportunities to engage directly with artists, designers, curators, collectors, and other members of the jewelry community.

With many programs free and open to the public, NYC Jewelry Week invites everyone—from longtime jewelry enthusiasts to those just beginning to explore the field—to discover the artistry, ideas, histories, and craftsmanship that make jewelry so compelling.

Join us for NYCJW26, November 16–22, 2026.