Panchita Carter (1938-2016), a native New Yorker of Black and Puerto Rican descent, was a self-taught jewelry designer and metalsmith who was privately trained in Long Island under the mentorship of Ken Bogash. Known for creating art-to-wear statement pieces, Panchita worked with silver, gold, and both semi-precious and precious stones, with each piece telling a unique story of strength, beauty, and personal expression.

She received her BA from Hunter College and her MSW from Fordham University. After working as a psychiatric social worker, Panchita found inspiration later in life from her husband, the notable artist Robert Carter, to enter the creative field. The couple would go on to collaborate on several of her sculptural works. She also became a leader in the art community, serving as president of the Long Island Craft Guild and teaching at both the Long Island Art League for many years and Dowling College.

Panchita’s jewelry was showcased in prestigious fine craft shows and galleries, primarily in the New York area, including notable exhibitions at Lincoln Center in New York City. In the early 2000s, she and Robert Carter were featured in a joint “Carter and Carter” museum exhibition on Long Island.

Her daughters, Heather and Holly Carter, are dedicated to preserving her legacy, ensuring that her contributions continue to be recognized and celebrated within the broader art canon.