Short courses in Melbourne, update

It’s been a while since I last wrote about courses available in Melbourne for Gold & Silversmithing (ie. jewellery and objects) – so I thought an update was in order and perfect timing for those thinking about what they’ll do this year.

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With respect to full-time degree study (while I won’t go into too much detail here) the schools in Melbourne are:

• RMIT : 3yr FT Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art), specialising in Object Based Practice; I’ve mentioned before that this course is brilliant for conceptual development; see my previous post on the degree changes that means this degree is now differently structured from the one I went through
• NMIT : 3yr PT Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery stream), 2yr FT Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery stream); 3yr apprenticeship Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture; Ive mentioned before that NMIT is exceptionally well-regarded (with reason) for technical skill development
• Box Hill Tafe : 1.5 year FT Advanced Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design [link]
• as I’ve written before, Monash is no longer offering a Jewellery specific degree, there is still the Fine Arts degree

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Now, short courses for jewellery and silversmithing, in Melbourne.

• NMIT : there are five short courses currently on their website; I’m SUPER excited that Silversmithing is being offered as a short course; I did the Leisure Jewellery course (basically studio access) a few years ago and I thought the facilities were very good for jewellery; while I was there I witnessed the Intro course and thought it was well-structured (there is also an Intermediate course); I intend to undertake the Gem Setting course over the next year or two
• Northcity4 : a new entry into the offerings for those wanting to learn how to make jewellery (I’m an unashamed huge supporter of NC4!); there is a Beginners course, and specific shorter courses for Earrings, Rings and Pendants; there is also an Intermediate course later in the year for those continuing; there are also regular Workshops and Seminars to take part in – amazings!
• CAE : there are so many courses offered under ‘jewellery’ and ‘silversmithing’ at CAE; the courses range from bone carving to pearl stringing, casting and pendant in an evening ; it looks like some of these are connected with Box Hill Tafe; my experience at CAE wasn’t fabulous, but it was some years ago now, and I wonder if the facilities have changed – if you’ve attended one of their courses recently, please do comment and tell me of your experience
• RMIT : usually runs a master class in Jan/Feb each year, but this is only for experience artisans; this year is a week intensive with ‘Making It … Object Design for Jewellers’ with Julie Blyfield (oh how I WISH I could attend this!)

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I’d really like to create a listing of the best short courses in Melbourne for jewellery making – can you recommend where you’ve been or heard is good?

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Update [6th February]: I’ve only just discovered that Victoria Mason is also holding classes for beginners!

Update [12th February]: I’ve also been told about classes at Redox Jewellery Studio in Geelong (no, it’s not Melbourne, but pretty close! actually, it’s a pretty easy drive…)

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NMIT ‘Kaleidoscope’ @ Northcote Town Hall

By serendipity I found myself in Northcote earlier today, so popped in to see ‘Kaleidoscope‘, the NMIT graduate (Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery), 2yrs) exhibition.

photograph taken with student representative permission

There are some highly technical constructions here, and much shiny-ness(?), and quite a lot to like.

It’s a shame there weren’t take home works-lists – it would have made it easier to remember everyone’s work and a good keepsake.

Again enameling made a strong appearance. Also, I noticed some more Choum Iybsa than I’d seen in previous years, so wonder if that was a new skill taught during the course or if the students found their own way to the technique…

photograph taken with student representative permission

Participating artists are (as per media listing):

• Emily Becher [blog]
• Olivia Boyle
• Anita Crowther [remember her splendid neckpiece at last year's auction?]
• Jo Hawley – I really liked the formality and simplicity of her work, the forms were beautiful
• Annelies Hofmeyr [update: site] – her enameled cloud sculptures were lovely and very well executed
• Sarah Johnson – her construction looks amazingly complex!
• Sarah Kerr [facebook]
• Maria Natoli [facebook]
• Sophie Prestige
• Maryam Satar
• Alannah Sheridan
• Yuan Yuan Xi [update: facebook]
• Sylvia Ballerini [facebook]
• Amber Craven
• Jacques Cudis
• Rachael Fares [update: facebook]
• Qiaojian (Hannah) He
• Kieran Jackson
• Felicity Large [update: site]
• Tess McAuslan-King
• Caroline McQueen [site]
• Niamh Minogue – I liked her enameled pendants so much I bought the dark blue one (after this photograph!); I loved how these were displayed, a mixture between museum layout and Warwick Freeman-esk investigation group – much to love
  

  photograph taken with student representative permission; sorry it’s dark, I didn’t use flash

• Louise Napolitano
• Ann O’Connor
• Elizabeth Rich
• Massimo Todaro
• Katrina van Domburgh [tumblr]
• Kim White
• Lisa Williams
• Nicole Smith

There’s a lot to like – get along.
If you’re interested, check out my post on last year’s exhibition ‘Auteur‘.
Also check out Jessica Helen’s post, with the award listing too.

One curious matter is the lack of internet presence of these artists … something I’ll expand on in another post soon.

‘Kaleidoscope‘ is at Northcote Town Hall until 25th November 2012, open weekends too.

Jewellery fundraising auctions reminder

Okay now. It wouldn’t do for anyone to forget that there are TWO, yes TWO, jewellery auctions in the coming weeks.

Next Wednesday: 9th May
NMIT Jewellery fundraising Auction [facebook page]; “The Advanced Diploma students of 2012 present to you an exciting opportunity to purchase exquisite handmade pieces of jewellery at exceptional prices. Crack open your piggy bank, get your bidding arm ready and help them raise funds for their Graduate Exhibition.“

facebook profile picture

The following Wednesday: 16th May
Box Hill Institute silent jewellery auction

auction media

Jewellery ahoy!!

NMIT graduates ‘Auteur’ @ Northcote Town Hall

It’s that time of year – many graduate exhibitions to visit.

The NMIT graduate (Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery), 2yrs) exhibition is ‘Auteur‘ at the Northcote Town Hall.

image taken with permission

Participating artists are: Emilia Athanasiadis, Katia Di Crescenzo, Emily Jane Edwards, Maximillian Egan, Tatiana Torres Garcia, Carla Garro [site], Maha Ghobrial [site; particularly liked the enamelled neckpiece], Rayin Haining, Jayde Hollingworth, Kate Jungwirth [site; her pieces were quiet and beautifully made], Carole Kernohan, Jenny Maynard, Rikki Moore, Rebecca Munn, Asha Nicholas, Larah Nott, Stephanie Putker, Chanittha (Gibby) Satitphat, Penny Scallan, Siobhan Elise Schembri, Paula Slutskin, Chloe Smith [blog], Rhiannon Smith, Michelle Stewart [site], Khanittha (Karen) Suwitthayaporn, Ilze Svarcs [site], Jessica Helen Travassoros [site], Chi Trung Trinh, Henrietta Walker, Joel Walton [I really liked his 'Orbit' piece, and think it'd look great as an object], Robert Withall.

image taken with permission

I wrote in my review post on the last NMIT exhibition of the different focuses of NMIT and RMIT. I don’t want to repeat myself, but it’s hard not to notice – especially when I visit the exhibitions on the same day. The most obvious observation is that the NMIT exhibition has so much more highly polished metal (not a finish I like unfortunately).

image taken with gallery permission

If you’re interested, check out my post on last year’s exhibition ‘Forge‘.

I’ve seen so much art today, I have art fatigue!!

‘Auteur‘ is at Northcote Town Hall until 27th November 2011.

Short courses in Melbourne

I’ve mentioned before that prior to studying Gold & Silversmithing at RMIT I undertook evening courses at The Goldsmith School in Brisbane.

Since finishing by RMIT degree, I have also done some evening courses at CAE and NMIT.

My opinion of these are as follows:

• Goldsmiths School (2000/01): LOVED it; strongly recommend this school to anyone in Brisbane; the teachers are knowledgeable, and lovely to work with, and the structure of their courses is exceptional; I’ve said it before, but I don’t know how I would have coped at RMIT if I hadn’t learnt the foundational hand skills at this school
• CAE (2010): really didn’t like it; I tried two courses but abandoned both after the first night; the facilities are more than disappointing; when I was there there was only one torch for the whole class … seriously; this isn’t anywhere near adequate (hopefully it’s improved since then); I would not recommend going here (from my personal experience anyway)
• NMIT (2009/10): really enjoyed the facilities; I did the leisure class and this was run in parallel to the beginners class, and I liked what I saw of the organisation and the approach; the only inconvenience is that the Fairfield campus is not too easy to reach on public transport

I’d really like to create a listing of the best short courses in Melbourne for jewellery making – can you recommend where you’ve been or heard is good?

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Update (30th January 2013): please see the updated post on short courses in Melbourne.

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NMIT Auction

Last night was the NMIT jewellery auction. I had a great time with two lovely friends – sadly though, not one of us was able to walk away with the ‘silent auction’ pieces we each had our eye on…

pieces for auction

It was impressively organised – registration at the front desk, bidding numbers, a great agenda (though ambitious with their timing – they were approximately half an hour late to the intermission; but I can understand how easy it is to underestimate how long an auction can take) and program with colour photographs.

The space is good – perhaps an alternative for RMIT to consider??

Just one thing – it would have been great to have an online blog or site for preview … but it would not have changed anything about my choice to go, I’d still have gone … but I just may have spent longer coveting and planning on just how much I was willing to spend.

The most amazing part of the night was a neckpiece I spotted on first-year NMIT jeweller student Anita Crowther – just incredible!

Anita Crowther piece; photograph taken with artist permission

Anita told me that she learnt to crochet especially to make this piece – that’s committment people! And she confirmed a thought I’d had when I first saw it – she had been thinking about the movie ‘The Red Shoes‘ and also reading a book about red shoe(s) (I hope I have that right) …

Amazing yes?! From a distance it looked like sculpted coral …

NMIT jewellery auction – tonight!

auction invitation; used with permission

See you there?!
Update (12th May) : yes, the image is smaller now …