Ken Loeber & Dona Look

CONTEMPORARY PRECIOUS
Algoma, WI

Ken Loeber has an understated grace to his jewelry that seeks out the sublime in the ordinary elements of nature. His gift for abstraction creates miniature vignettes in the shape of a pin, depicting a birds nest on a branch, or a snowball rolling downhill. More than two decades ago he suffered a stroke which impaired the right side of his body. Yet Loeber, with the help of his wife Dona Look, who is a renowned birchbark basketmaker herself, continued to make jewelry.

Ken and Dona became great friends with my mother, a friendship that was consummated at the craft shows. Carolyn would always stop by at their booths to say hello to Ken, and to engage in long, thoughtful conversations with Dona, often discussing their sons; myself, and Reid Loeber-Look. My mother valued Ken and Dona’s vision, as well as their perspective on the subtler aspects of life.