Based in Key West, FL, Marlene True is a metalsmith and passionate collector of tin cans and found objects, drawn to their rich history, textures, and colors. She transforms these discarded materials into striking jewelry, giving them new life and meaning. Her work is deeply inspired by the vibrant flora and fauna of Key West, where the lush tropical landscape influences both the forms and narratives in her pieces.A dedicated educator, Marlene shares her enthusiasm for metalwork and repurposed materials through teaching. She has led workshops at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and West Dean College in the UK. As the former Executive Director of Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft, she played a key role in expanding the campus and launching an extensive online workshop program, making craft education more accessible to students around the world.Marlene earned her MFA from East Carolina University and her BFA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Her work is included in the collections of the National Ornamental Metal Museum (Memphis, TN), Museum of Arts and Design (New York), Racine Museum of Art (Wisconsin), Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and the Enamel Arts Foundation (Los Angeles, CA). She remains actively engaged in the metalsmithing community and has served on the Board of Directors for the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG).