Photo by Celeste Van Kirk
A ring created by self-taught jewelry artist Michelle Sophia Sabol.

By Rachael Rennebeck

The Allegheny Inn is known as an elite bed and breakfast, event space, and for featuring local artists in its décor.  Beginning with the reception Saturday, July 29 at 6 p.m., the inn will host its third local artist, Washington, Pennsylvania’s Michelle Sophia Sabol (Memphis George), who’s variety of art will be housed at the inn for the next few months.

A self-taught jewelry artist, Michelle Sophia Sabol released her unique jewelry as Memphis George in Los Angeles, CA in 1998. The intricate, handmade pieces have been worn to the Oscars by award nominees, and seen in films on Selena Gomez and Jane Lynch.  She was commissioned by the Carnegie Museum of Art to create two couture runway dress designs in conjunction with the Museum’s Iris Van Herpen exhibition. The runway show, Modern Worlds, was recently presented and sold out at the Ace Hotel.

Couture jewelry is just one piece of her art collection. Memphis is also known for her self-expression, which includes small and large scale paintings on various textures like velvet, acrylic, and canvas with liquid-like pools of color mimicking watercolor pieces in vibrant displays. Add an array of metal-like figures for coffee table discussion, and you have only begun to appreciate this teaching artist who was awarded a grant from the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh to teach a jewelry a design class, “Healing Talisman” at the Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA Fresh Start Program for survivors of domestic violence. Welcome her stay at the Allegheny Inn starting this Saturday with a reception that includes light refreshments from 6-9 p.m.

For more information visit www.Facebook.com/memphisgeorgejewelery.com, www.instgram.com/memphisgeorgejewelry/  or www.alleghenyinn.com.