Cynthia Hawkes studied in a BA program at U.N.B. in Fredericton, New Brunswick. While there, she developed a passion for dance and spent many years in Toronto, New York, and finally Ottawa, training and preforming. After settling in Montréal and having children, she switched from dance to jewellery and another passion was discovered. Cynthia completed a specialized contemporary jewellery program at the Saidye Bronfman School of Fine Arts. For 25 years she taught Jewellery Fundamentals at the Visual Arts Centre in Westmount, Quebec, where she was acting Head of the Jewellery Department from 2021 to 2023. A professional jeweller, she perfected her craft while also working as a jewellery buyer over many years. Cynthia is currently utilizing her skills as Program coordinator and Director for the Montréal Academy of Metal Arts / Atelier Artéfact