Heikki Seppa was an extraordinary and deeply influential man, innovator, artist, teacher, and husband. He lived a life full of focus, struggles, and ultimately, success. Seppa was born on March 8, 1927 in Sakkijarvi, Finland. At only five years old he was abandoned and housed in a home with one hundred other children, where he was the longest resident there. At the age of fourteen he was selected to attend the newly formed Goldsmith’s School in Helsinki, where he created large installation sculptures, wondrous tabletop and ecclesiastical pieces, and countless wearable jewelry designs.

Many of his pieces are in private collections and museums across the country, including the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. During his life he moved from Finland, to British Columbia, to Michigan to attend Cranbrook Academy of Art, Kentucky, Missouri, and then finally to Bainbridge Island, Washington. Seppa taught at Washington University and other prestigious institutions, and is a founding member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

Seppa expressed his love of being on the Island by building his dream house which exposed his fascination and affinity to curvilinear lines. Heikki Seppa died at his home on May 18, 2010, surrounded by loved ones.

For more information, please read the full tribute to Heikki Seppa.