Exciting Exhibitions

Whitireia jewellery students are set to treat Auckland to a showcase of the finest cutting-edge jewellery at the New Zealand Jewellery show 16-19 July.

With contemporary, innovative design skills, fostered in a close-knit working environment and overseen by some of the best talent in the country and the world – the work Whitireia students will bring to the showcase will excite.

Students from Whitireia who will showcase their work include Jess Winchcombe from Titahi Bay, Becky Bliss from Brooklyn, Julia Middleton from Paekakariki, Sophie Laurs from Newton, Sunni Gibson from Paekakariki and Samantha Kelly, also from Paekakariki.

“We are lucky enough to have international greats like Carl Fitz and Lisa Walker come and mentor us, says second year Bachelor of Applied Arts (Visual Arts and Design) student Jess Winchcombe. These artists are so successful overseas, but they are huge supporters of this course and they continue to teach on it every year– which just speaks volumes about the course and our work!”

With internationally renowned jeweller Peter Deckers as a tutor the students couldn’t be learning from anyone better. “We are getting great tuition from some amazing people, says another student, Julia Middleton. Peter Deckers holds so much clout both nationally and internationally that we are privileged to have him as a teacher.”

Indeed Deckers has much experience in the industry, exhibiting regularly around the country and curating numerous exhibitions.
The exhibition Handstand will run alongside the New Zealand Jewellery show, from 16 -19 July and is curated by Deckers. For more details visit: http://api.ning.com/files/dN9EBNhUaCNMywmdzOx1MRFkDNVMaGdJNFBUKpLKZY1IziceYW4Zup-zvScUvIeVteyjkf3AK5MZu-82EprB*zvyx8f5gg1q/handSTANDexhibition.pdf

The Handstand exhibition offers three awards for its exhibitors, sponsored by TopMark Products and Resene Paint. 2006 Whitireia graduate and winner of the 2009 TopMark Award, Vaune Mason, says “Studying at Whitireia was an interesting and very useful journey for me. I found the creative environment of the jewellery studio very supportive, and highly inspirational. I often look back at my journals and work from that time, and I am very pleased that I learnt the lessons I did. I think I was lucky to pick up some very handy tips and tricks for life in the real world."

Second place in the TopMark Award went to Whitireia graduate Vivien Atkinson and another graduate, Jhana Miller’s, was awarded the Resene Award.

Third year Bachelor of Applied Arts (Visual Arts and Design) student Suni Gibson has a solo exhibition running at Pixel Ink Gallery in Newtown from 22 July to 9 August.

The Whitireia course focuses on exploring interesting tangents in design, encouraging the breaking down of boundaries and open mindedness in its students. At the same time it equips students with tools for the industry, including marketing, creative enterprise, contextual studies and management skills.

ENDS

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