About Isaiah:

Minor: Health, Medicine & Human Values 

Certificate in Honors Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts 

Isaiah Baca, a student at the University of New Mexico, recently completed an impactful project in Megan Jacob’s "Social Transformation Through Art" class, which focused on environmental art in partnership with the UNM Art Museum. For his final project, Isaiah chose to create a piece of jewelry that represents the black widow spider, a creature often feared but vital to our ecosystem. 

His inspiration began with Kiki Smith’s piece featuring a eucalyptus leaf encased in silver. Isaiah sought to craft a lasting piece that symbolizes the black widow, highlighting its misunderstood role. “While black widows can be dangerous, they are also defenders of nature, protecting plants from harmful insects,” he explained.  

Through his research, Isaiah reflected on how our actions can threaten the environment. He believes that if people understood the consequences of their behavior toward nature, they would be more mindful. “Imagining that our actions could lead to dire outcomes would encourage us to treat the earth with greater respect,” he noted. 

With access to a silver smith shop thanks to his father, a jeweler, Isaiah began his project with limited experience in jewelry making. He faced various challenges, particularly in shaping the spider’s legs and selecting the right materials. He opted for a ruby with eight symmetrical cuts to represent the spider’s eight eyes and chose a teardrop black onyx over a previously planned circular design. 

One of the biggest hurdles was soldering the pieces together, as reheating the metal often caused previous welds to break. To overcome this, Isaiah used earring studs for support and a substantial amount of silver solder. “I’m very pleased with the final result,” he said, considering options to transform the piece into a slave bracelet or a necklace centerpiece. 

Isaiah Baca’s project not only showcases his artistic skills but also serves as a conversation starter about the importance of environmental awareness. By focusing on the black widow, he encourages others to recognize the value of often-misunderstood creatures and to consider the impact of their actions on the planet. His work exemplifies how art can foster dialogue around social issues and inspire change within the community.