The Goldsmiths’ Centre in London scooped twenty-five accolades at this year’s Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council competition, known as the “Jewellery Oscars”, seeing its new talented craftspeople and their tutors represented across award categories.
The prestigious award ceremony, which was held at Goldsmiths’ Hall on Monday 25 February 2019, saw the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s current and former Foundation Programme trainees, Goldsmiths’ Company apprentices, Setting Out course participants as well as their tutors win accolades across specialisms, from polishing, diamond mounting to silversmithing, reflecting the exceptional standard of talent, skill and the level of teaching in both the Junior and Senior Award categories.
Former Goldsmiths’ Company apprentice, Louise Sorrell, won the major Junior Award for her breath-taking “Silver Engraved Vase”
Chosen from over 600 competition entries, the Goldsmiths’ Centre is celebrating the exceptional performance across the Junior categories. 19-year old Foundation Programme trainees, Amy Gibson and Sophie Chapman, made an impressive first mark on the awards by winning the Silversmiths – Silver Award in 2D Design category for Amy’s trophy design “Silver Fragmented Bottle” and the Chasers Junior Bronze Award for Sophie’s Chased ‘S’ Plaque with support from award-winning Foundation Programme tutors, Jennifer Bloy and Rod Stewart. She was joined by former Goldsmiths’ Company apprentice, Louise Sorrell, who won the major Junior Award for her breath-taking “Silver Engraved Vase” and the Theo Fennell Apprentice/Master Award under the tutelage of experienced Master engraver, Sam Marsden from Sam James Engraving. Louise will be demonstrating her skills alongside her Master as part of a series of events programmed in association with The Hand Engravers Association and The Lettering Arts Trust during London Craft Week (8 – 10 May) at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
Louise was joined by another twenty current and former Goldsmiths’ Company Apprentices and three participants on the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s business incubation course, Setting Out, demonstrating that new talent is making noticeable waves in the industry. In particular, Eleanor Woolacott, who completed her Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship at C.A. Treble London in 2018, as well 2017 WorldSkills finalist Alexander Wood, who is a current Goldsmiths’ Company Apprentice at Ian Read Setting, demonstrated their diamond mounting skills both winning Gold Awards. Jessica Jue, who is currently completing the intensive year-long business incubation course, Setting Out, at the Goldsmiths’ Centre also made a strong impression with her silverchased Amesiella Dish, winning three Silver Awards in the 3D Finished Pieces Design category.
Peter Taylor, Director the Goldsmiths’ Centre, comments: “The team here at the Goldsmiths’ Centre are immensely proud and pleased for the winners of awards at this year’s competition. It is incredible to see the quality of work that is being produced by our trainees many of them under the age of 25. Securing all of the major Junior Awards at the competition is an amazing achievement. Our thanks and congratulations also go to the amazing tutors who go above and beyond to ensure that our learners achieve their potential and Apprentice Masters who are willing to pass on their skills and knowledge to the next generation”.
For further information on the Goldsmiths’ Centre, visit goldsmiths-centre.org
For further information on the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council, visit craftanddesigncouncil.org.uk