Nanci moved to Manhattan as a teenager where she worked for the painter Keith Haring while continuing to learn the art of jewelry making. After Haring’s death in 1990 she began an apprenticeship in Classical jewelry construction with Bessie Jamieson. Nanci’s work with Jamieson included demonstrations of ancient jewelry construction techniques during the Greek Gold exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1992. During this time Nanci also worked as a teaching assistant, demonstrating jewelry making at the Bard College graduate program and the World Gold Council.
Nanci Modica grew up in the town of Manhasset on Long Island. She first became interested in jewelry making while still in high school and attended night and weekend classes in New York City at Parsons School of Design and the Kulicke-Stark Academy where she studied under Robert Kulicke and Bessie Jamieson. Jamieson, former owner of the Jewelry Arts Institute, became a lifelong mentor.
Nanci Modica
Nanci worked as a full-time instructor at Jewelry Arts from 1994 until 2003 when she launched Lunula Studios in Manhattan, specializing in high karat Classical and contemporary gold jewelry. At Lunula Nanci collaborated with top goldsmiths to create pieces for galleries and private clients while continuing to teach and make jewelry on her own.
In 2014 Nanci moved her studio to the Vinegar Hill section of Brooklyn, also known as DUMBO, the current home of Atelier Modica. After thirty-two years she continues to work closely with her mentor, Bessie Jamieson. Nanci’s works are currently sold at galleries in the United States.
Nanci is an avid cyclist and a founder of the all female competitive cycling team Radical Media Racing. She lives in Hell’s Kitchen with her husband Jesus Perera.