Curtis Chamberlin ‘17 is one of three Andover residents studying abroad on Proctor Academy’s off-campus programs this fall. A few weeks ago, Curtis shared the following reflection on Proctor’s Web site at blogs.proctoracademy.org:

In Spain we have access to an amazing metal arts program. We learn metal engraving under Jesús. Yes, his name is Jesus and he is one of the nicest people I have ever met. The first project he has you do is a medallion. I am not the best at coming up with designs, so mine is a little lackluster. I was however able to finish mine first. I must admit I wasn’t expecting much because I am used to using bigger machines. In this process there are no machines at all. It is all finesse and imagination. This allowed me to produce a beautiful medallion that I really enjoy wearing.

The other projects i hope to accomplish are a coaster and a box. If I have time, I would like to make a pen as well. The tools we use to create the designs are numerous and only used for specific things. The first day I was in Jesus’s shop he had me using one to, lightly but with force, hit the metal. This gave it an almost lizard skin look. I have done this twice, once on both sides of it, and the design pops even more. This is truly an art, and I’m very honored to be able to learn it. I managed to finish this before our weekend in the strangest town I have ever been in, Nieva.