Wanda Cavanagh is a New Mexico-based jewelry maker and painter.

Formerly specializing in History of Literature and education, Wanda eventually sought a more tactile way to explore the human experience. This led to a transformation from academic instruction to the precision of Graphic Design, and finally, to the intimate Crafts of Jewelry Making and Painting.

With a formal academic background from Silesian and Warsaw Universities, Wanda brings a scholarly perspective to her work. After earning a BA from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City, Wanda Cavanagh transitioned into the world of fine metalwork, beginning with studies at the renowned Kulicke Jewelry School and the Peters Valley School of Craft in Layton, NJ.

Wanda’s education is rooted in the esteemed traditions of the Pforzheim Hochschule in Germany—the historic "Golden City" famous for its 250-year legacy of jewelry excellence. Many of Wanda’s mentors, including industry icons, trained in the rigorous Pforzheim style. This formal expertise was further expanded through programs at the Pratt Institute, Parsons School of Design, and the 92nd Street Y in New York. 

As an established artist in the American craft movement, Cavanagh has been a featured exhibitor at premier juried events, including the American Craft Council shows in Baltimore and Boston, the International Handmade section at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and the Buyer’s Market of American Craft in Philadelphia. 

Wanda’s work has been represented by a curated selection of distinguished contemporary galleries.

Additionally, Wanda’s designs have reached a national audience through features in the prestigious Sundance Catalog, founded by Robert Redford, and the Norm Thompson Catalog. 

Her practice is defined by the intersection of intellectual and traditional heritage and modern craftsmanship and reflects a dialogue between past and present, where creativity meets dreams and vision meets action.