I have always admired the skills of the ancient masters. My native Bulgaria was the homeland of the legendary Thracian gold and silversmiths, who created their timelees masterpieces some 2500 years ago.

     Their exquisite works had a great influence on my personal style, and became an inspiration for life.  I am attracted to the richness of the ancient forms and designs.  Ancient gold and silver pieces are so mysterious, distant and different - they appear to me like today's new concept in metal.

     Over the course of a decade I studied  newly excavated  gold  and   silver  treasures, then copied some of the vessels to find  what tools and techniques were used by the Thracian masters.  That was an exciting spiritual communication with a far-off epoch, and my first introduction to chasing and repoussé.

     These magnificent techniques, almost lost through the ages, became my favorite form of expression in metal. Not only for the dramatic enhancement they bring to ones work - I believe that as we look into the future, relying on modern technologies and inventions, we should not let our previous knowledge and experience be forgotten, or even lost.

     Within each of my works lives the preservation of an old metalwork technique, representing the rich history and culture of my country. And like my ancestors, I hope that these skills and techniques will be preserved and passed on so they can be appreciated by future generations, as well.

Valentin Yotkov won the  Best Sculpture Award  in  The Master of 2002 competition at the BTDesign Art Gallery, Faenza, Ravenna, Italy.

1979-1980 Apprentice for Renowned Bulgarian Silversmith Alexander Raiev.
1977 Graduated from Specialized Art School, Sofia Bulgaria.
Recipient of the "Gold Medal" award (Diploma).

1980 to present Professional Silversmith, Instructor in Chasing and Repoussé.
Recent works include: A Trophy, Commissioned and Presented by The Diocese of Armenian Church in America to Senator Robert Dole.
Presentation on the Carol Duvall Show, HGTV, May 2004.

2006 European workshops. Florence, Italy
Colorado Metalsmiths Association, Salida CO
Northeast Blacksmiths Association, High Falls, NY
The Arts Center, St Petersburg, FL
2005 The Carlos Museum at Emory University, Atlanta, GA
The Rubin Museum of Art, New York, NY
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
The Rio Grande, Catalog in Motion, Tucson AZ
Metals Edge Studio, Scottsdale, AZ
2004 Roswell Center for Visual Arts, Atlanta, GA
The Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
2003 Syracuse University, School of Art and Design, NY.
2002  Valentin Yotkov Studio, Brooklyn, NY.
Denver Jewelry Academy, Denver, CO.
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, San Francisco, CA.
2001  Le Arti Orafe Jewelry School, Florence, Italy.
Southwest School of Art and Craft, San Antonio, TX.
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, San Francisco, CA.
Newark Museum, Newark, NJ.
Arapahoe College, Littleton, CO.
Wildacres, New Switzerland, NC.
2000 Tiffany & Co, Parsippany, NJ.
Tiffany & Co, Valentin Yotkov Studio, NY.
Brookfield Crafts Center, Brookfield, CT.
Metalwerx, Woburn, MA.
1999 Tiffany & Co, Valentin Yotkov Studio, NY.
New York University, Conservation Center of Institute of Fine Arts.
Worcester Center for Crafts, Worcester , MA.
Yavapai College, Prescott, AZ.
New Mexico Metalsmiths Association, Corrales, NM.
Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD.
Long Island Crafts Guild, Garvey's Point, NY.
Tiffany & Co, Brooklyn, NY.
1992 American Craft Museum, New York City.
Chasing and Repoussé Demonstration.

2003 SFA Gallery, Nacogdoches, TX.
2002 SOFA New York, presented by the YAW Gallery.
Contemporary America in Metal. Pueblo, CO.
Lauren Stanley Gallery, New York.
Guest Artist of the Month, BTDesign Art Gallery, Ravenna, Italy.
2001 The Ukrainian Institute of America, New York.         
2000 "St. James" Cathedral-Basilica, New York.
OXOXO Gallery, Baltimore, MD.
1999 Rosenberg Gallery, New York.
1994 Artbuilders Gallery, Jersey City.
1993 Elsa Mott Ives Gallery, New York.
1989 Beijing, China.
Pittsburgh, PA.
New Delhi, India.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
1988 Veneto, Italy.
1986 Mexico City, Mexico.
1985 Moscow, Russia.
Volos, Greece.
1982 Tokyo, Japan.

1990 First Prize, National Art Show, Sofia, Bulgaria.
1989 First prize and a Gold Medal, National Exhibition of the Arts, Bulgaria.
1987 Second Prize, National Exhibition of Young Artists, Bulgaria.
1985 First Prize, National Art Competition, Sofia, Bulgaria.
First Prize, National Exhibition of Young Artists.
1982 First Prize, National Design Competition.
1979 Gold Medal, National Art Competition, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Bulgaria, France, Italy, Greece, England, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Germany, USA, Canada and Japan.

Artisan Member Society of American Silversmiths.
Society of North American Goldsmiths.
National Silversmiths Guild of Bulgaria.

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