Valeria Martinez

Valeria is a full-time jewellery artist based in the Highlands on Vancouver Island. She draws inspiration from her Argentinian roots and a valuable apprenticeship with a renowned artisan in her hometown, specializing in working with organic materials like horn and bone. Her love for metals was further fuelled by private lessons with a silversmith in Rosario, Argentina.

Despite her initial training in classical flute at the Rosario Conservatory of Music in Argentina, Valeria's true passion has always been jewellery-making since a young age.

She has travelled the world and lived in Germany and Ireland before settling in Canada in 2001. At the Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, she took a series of courses where she polished her metalsmithing skills. 

Valeria's contemporary creations are a fusion of metals and gemstones with horn, transforming an ancient material into one-of-a-kind pieces. Over the past 17 years, she has been a regular participant in curated shows in Alberta and BC.

In 2023, a significant change unfolded.

After working for the former Argentum Jewellery School, an exciting opportunity arose for Valeria to take over. Together with Karen, Stairway Studio was born, a collaborative venture that has become her cherished happy place.

www.valeriamartz.com