Precious Kent 2016: Objects of Desire

Private view Friday 2 December 6pm to 8pm

PRECIOUS KENT are back for their third year at Pie Factory Margate. A Kent based group of international award-winning jewellery designer/makers & silversmiths they will be joined this year by the renowned Goldsmiths’ Centre, a leading charity for the professional training of Goldsmiths.

Eleven Kent-based jewellers and silversmiths are showcasing their latest work, using a variety of materials from platinum to plastics, from sapphires to silver to create bold and subtle, delicate and dramatic jewellery and silverware.

Members exhibit internationally and come together for special events to present personally their stunning array of contemporary work.

GOLDSMITHS’ CENTRE

This year Precious Kent is pleased to welcome the Goldsmiths’ Centre to demonstrate and explain their pre-apprentice scheme to prospective students. The London based Goldsmiths Centre Foundation Programme is for people aged 16 to 19 years who want to work and learn skills with precious metals. It is the only UK jewellery and silversmithing provider combining traditional skills with modern cutting-edge technology.

10 students will be chosen and will have a unique, free, one year’s training from Master Craftspeople.  Areas covered will be fine jewellery, stone setting, silversmithing, engraving and enamelling. An emphasis will also be placed on design and drawing skills and computer aided design [CAD].

On graduating the students will be helped to join an apprenticeship scheme, find a job or go on to further or higher educational courses.  For further information see  www.goldsmithscentre.org/professionaltraining/foundation-programme

During the Precious Kent exhibition parents and students will have a valuable opportunity to view work and discuss the course with tutors and students. Two of the tutors, Ray Walton, silversmith, and Joan MacKarell, enameller, are also exhibitors in the show.