The graduating Jewellery Design & Metalsmithing students from Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE in Wangaratta are very excited to be holding their very first exhibition 925⁺ Emerging Contemporary Jewellers at The Muse Gallery, Milawa, from October 10-29^th 2009.

 

The exhibition will be opened at 2pm on Saturday 10^th October by Stephen Gallagher, Curator/Coordinator of the School of Art at RMIT. Stephen is himself a recognized and awarded contemporary jeweller and is an advocate for regional arts.

 

The name of the exhibition 925⁺ was chosen to identify the materials incorporated in the fine art jewellery on display. The hallmark for sterling silver is 925 and the plus encompasses all the other wonderful materials that are used in this work. In addition it points the way toward the unlimited design potential that exists in creative jewellery.

 

In all there are 14 emerging jewellers showing their work in this exhibition. Although coming from a variety of backgrounds and age groups, they share one thing in common – a desire to create wearable jewellery that is fresh, original and meaningful. They all live in the North East of Victoria and believe it is important to exhibit locally. The Muse Gallery is an ideal venue for this exhibition, with a reputation as a great supporter of the arts. Being situated in the Milawa gourmet region, gallery visitors can enjoy the fine food and wine available.

 

Leading up to this exhibition is at least two years of intensive full-time study covering a broad range of techniques and imaginative design possibilities. All have worked hard to develop the skills and have passionately applied these techniques to materials old and new. This has resulted in a great diversity of items on display in this exhibition. These include some wonderful pieces of repousse and enamelling, castings in silver and copper, forged pieces, etched work, and fine chain making. Some of the jewellery even gives new life to found objects.

 

This exhibition is a wonderful display of the technical and design skills of these emerging jewellers. Everything is for sale, so this is an excellent opportunity to shop early for unique Christmas presents. On opening day you can meet the artists who will be happy to talk with you about their work.

 

925⁺ Emerging Contemporary Jewellers opens at 2.00pm Saturday October 10^th and this opening event is generously sponsored by Wood Park Wines and The Milawa Cheese Factory. The Muse Gallery manager George Piercy cordially invites members of the public to attend.