At Maker&Smith we set out to inject energy into the craft sector, here, in Western Australia. As well as bringing in skilled makers from overseas to share techniques and networks, we also run workshops and talks delivered by local makers and smiths.
We’ve spent quite a bit of time lately with the good people of Joondalup (a suburb in the north of Perth, WA), thanks to the ‘
Adorn program‘, which we contributed to. As we developed a short program of talks and workshops to complement an exhibition of the members of the
Jewellers & Metalsmiths Group of WA, we had the good fortune of getting to know local studio jewellers and smiths. So much so that I’m confident we can say many are now our best friends!
[Image above left to right: Claire Townsend, Katherine Kalaf, Sarah Elson, Alister Yiap, Susannah Kings-Lynne, Melissa Cameron, Bethamy Linton.]
Adorn Workshops
Last weekend
Claire Townsend and
Sarah Elson delivered workshops on Enamelling and Cuttlebone Casting. We feel very strongly about the power of workshops like these to instil an appreciation and understanding of what it takes to be a skilled maker.
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Sarah Elson
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Claire Townsend
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Workshop participants learning the right melting point for enamel on copper. Red hot kiln!
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Workshop participants learning to pour molten silver into a carved cuttlebone cast.
Years in the Making
Years in the making, these artisans are artists as well as makers and teachers – their design training, creative concepts and personal narratives combine with their knowledge of materials and techniques to take their work to a high level. It becomes apparent as participants delve into the basics of these techniques in a 6-hour workshop how hard it is to perfect skills and also the endless possibilities of materials, and their limitations. Making mistakes and failing repeatedly make for good learning. In that short time you realise the long hours, dedication and resilience it must take to be an accomplished maker.
Both Claire and Sarah are also professional teachers. Beyond their art, craft & design training, they’ve been teaching at a tertiary level for over 25 years, each. They have also perfected how best to impart the basics in 6 hours! Not everyone can do this; we get that.
Rigorous Education
Sadly, the degree and certificate courses that Claire & Sarah taught are gradually being cut from our education systems. The times are changing. The depth and rigour of the design, creative and technical skills that we once had access to, are becoming hard to find in the institutions. We watch and wait to see how this will affect the quality of skills and products in our region. (More on this at our Craft Conversations.)
Our Pledge to You
As well as workshops – we know the power of films, talks, demonstrations and open studios too (… to promote a wider understanding of the many years it takes to not only be proficient but to be an outstanding maker.)
We pledge to do our best to engage experienced teachers and accomplished makers. And we hope that in this small way we can generate better skills and greater appreciation of craftspeople.
We are so full of ideas for our program! If only time and budgets can make it all possible.
Soon we will announce our
Winter Program – which we are certainly excited about and we hope you will be too.
