Jewellery and Metalsmithing Archives - ��ܽ��Ƶ

��ܽ��Ƶ signs Fairmined agreement to use responsibly sourced silver and gold

Sarah Poko — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:24:14 +0000

In the first deal of its kind at a fine arts university, ��ܽ��Ƶ has been granted an institutional license from , which allows the Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing program to offer its students access to ethically sourced gold and silver.

is an assurance initiative by the that certifies gold and silver as materials of responsible origin, “extracted with the best mining practices aimed at preserving the environment and support the development of artisanal and small-scale mining communities.”

Brokering the license, usually granted to jewelry brands and designers worldwide, was spearheaded by Greg Sims, Assistant Professor in Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing. The process ��ܽ��Ƶ began in 2022 and the license was issued last November.

“Similar to diamonds, gold can find its way into some pretty horrific situations, including funding conflicts and war,” says Sims. “It’s mostly taking advantage of individuals and smaller communities in poverty that are tasked with extracting precious metals, but don’t have legitimate ways to bring them to the market.”

Eighty percent of the world’s gold is extracted via large-scale, industrialized mining that uses predatory worker and environmental practices. Fairmined supports artisanal small-scale mining, which comprises the industry’s remaining 20 percent supply. It considers the environment surrounding the mines—chiefly in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru—the value and health of the workers & their communities, and the treatment of the materials.

��ܽ��Ƶ students pay under $2 a gram for silver from their standard suppliers; Fairmined silver is priced around $5/gram and takes into account the more realistic costs of a responsible supply. The price of Fairmined gold is much higher and includes an added premium of $5/gram.

“That’s not necessarily a lot,” says Sims. “If it takes 10 grams for a ring, somebody’s paying an extra $40or $80 to say ‘I know where the materials in my ring came from.’ More and more, that’s becoming important to people. It certainly did with diamonds.

“We’ve come to understand that the materials we use currently are priced artificially low, because not all the players in the system are getting adequately compensated,” he adds.

‘There’s very visible evidence it was done ethically’

Students who opt to work the materials into their projects will be trained on Fairmined-approved guidelines to ensure best practices and adherence, which is one of the directives of the institutional license.

“They will melt scrap materials down and process ��ܽ��Ƶ them into different stocks—wire, tube, sheet,” says Sims. “We also do casting—they can take scrap silver or casting grain and melt that down. When they’re working with Fairmined silver, they have to ensure they’re only using those materials, and the other tools and process ��ܽ��Ƶes they’re using aren’t contaminated in some way.”

Brooklyn Soucie is a third-year Jewelry and Metalsmithing student who used Fairmined silver in the creation of a small Pacific halibut, reminiscent of the ones she used to catch with her father and grandfather growing up in British Columbia.

“Probably one of the neatest things is you get this card, and it says exactly where in the world and what mine this silver’s come from,” she says. “We have proof and it’s trackable. There’s very visible evidence it was done ethically.”

Two of the three versions of ��ܽ��Ƶ’s 2024 Alumni Ring that launches this Spring will be made with Fairmined certified materials, yellow gold and silver. (The third, stainless steel, has no industry assurances.) Their production will be overseen by John Esposito at Malleable Jewellers in Toronto, an early adopter of Fairmined materials and a consult on the school’s project.

“As soon as you’re aware of the issues, we have to say, ‘Do we want to access the material or not?’ With our institution the answer has to be ‘Yes,’” says Sims. “It can no longer be ignored. If we opted to go a cheaper route, it would be us ignoring the reality of the mining industry. It became obvious that incorporating responsibly-sourced precious metals was a positive step that ��ܽ��Ƶ could take to bring awareness, and to reflect the values and concerns of the next generation of artists and designers.”

“It’s so fantastic being a student and having ��ܽ��Ƶ bring it into their program,” says Soucie. “It was really eye-opening, and the fact that it’s an option—and an option for students—is amazing.”

Learn more about and ��ܽ��Ƶ’s Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing ��ǲ��.��

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��ܽ��Ƶ students take part in Spark Zone pitch competition

tagadmin — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 09:26:43 +0000

Two ��ܽ��Ƶ University students broke new ground when they recently took part in a Spark Zone new product pitch competition.
The competition is hosted annually at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, however this year marked the first time ��ܽ��Ƶ students took part. Wenjing Yan and Matilda Shapland represented ��ܽ��Ƶ at the event, competing against students from a number of Nova Scotia-based universities.

“It was wonderful to have ��ܽ��Ƶ’s voice included in this event. It provided an invaluable counterpoint to the other ideas on show,” said Paul Maher, Director of Teaching and Learning, ��ܽ��Ƶ University. “We would like to congratulate both students on their ability to execute very professional pitches and to also thank them for showcasing their ideas at the competition.”

Yan is in her final semester of studying in the jewellery program at ��ܽ��Ƶ. She presented on her tech enabled interactive jewellery design called CDE. Shapland presented a pitch based on her business, Madzmod – a fashion label which modifies pre-loved garments to create stylish and affordable items.

Each presenter in the competition had to make a three-minute pitch, followed by a two-minute Q&A with the audience. The pitch had to include financial metrics, such as a market share analysis, along with production, distribution and promotion costs. It also had to be entrepreneurial, while being compelling and inspirational in nature.

Yan and Shapland developed their pitches over the course of two months, creating products that serve as a customer experience solution for retailers.

The Spark Zone brings together students and community members to create, develop and ultimately launch business ideas and social innovations. Partners at ��ܽ��Ƶ University, Saint Mary’s University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Community College, University of King’s College, and the Atlantic School of Theology provide opportunities for people to connect and then nurture those connections as ideas become reality.

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��ܽ��Ƶ hosts annual Holiday Pop-Up

tagadmin — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 09:25:01 +0000

��ܽ��Ƶ University is getting into the spirit of the season with its annual Holiday Pop-Up.
The ��ܽ��Ƶ Holiday Pop-Up is a unique and exciting show and sale of art, craft and design created entirely by ��ܽ��Ƶ students. Close to 100 students from across ��ܽ��Ƶ’s undergraduate and graduate programs are taking part this year, making their original work available for purchase to the public. This includes ceramics, paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, letterpress cards, books, jewellery, fashion, textiles, sculpture and more.

“The Holiday Pop-Up is something we look forward to every year. ��ܽ��Ƶ students enjoy the opportunity to showcase their art, craft and design skills, while also meeting members of the community who come out to support local artists,” said Linda Hutchison, AVP University Relations, ��ܽ��Ƶ University. “It’s also a chance for all of us to buy local this holiday season. And not just local, but handmade and student-made. These are truly unique, one-of-a-kind gift ideas.”

The ��ܽ��Ƶ Holiday Pop-Up takes place at the Art Bar +Projects (1873 Granville Street, Halifax, NS). It starts on Friday, December 6, going from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It continues on Saturday, December 7, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information on ��ܽ��Ƶ University events, visit nscad.ca.

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New exhibitions! Greg Sims; ��ܽ��Ƶ Jewellery Design & Metalsmithing exhibition; ��ܽ��Ƶ/AUArts Exchange

tagadmin — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 07:51:10 +0000

September 10 – 21, 2019Opening reception: Wednesday, September 11 at 5:30 pm
Anna Leonowens Gallery, 1891 Granville Street

Objects of Affection —Greg Sims
Faculty exhibitor — Gallery 1
NOON TALK: TBA

A recent retrospective of thoughts and ideas around jewellery, Sims presents the many facets of a contemporary creative practice… from speculative artworks and gallery displays to (more functional) wedding rings and commissioned medals. Digital representations are explored and realized, transitioning through different stages; from image & 3D model through to prototypes & precious objects. Using various inputs and interactions, outside factors influence or affect the final outcomes, allowing meaningful sentiments and relationships to emerge.

Greg Sims is an accomplished artist, jewellery designer/maker and educator. He recently joined the ��ܽ��Ƶ faculty (2018), teaching in the Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing program. A strong proponent and leader in 3D digital design and digital fabrication technologies, Sims’ expertise span the areas of jewellery, materials and craft, product design, manufacturing and aspects of the built environment. This versatility has led to working across disciplines, initiating and collaborating on innovative projects from intricate stone settings through to interactive stage sets.

Based in Tucson Arizona, Mark Mitchell’s contributions span art, music, and theater. His magnum opus, Mark Mitchell: Burial, a performance and installation, was showcased in a solo exhibition at the Frye Art Museum, 2013, to critical and popular acclaim. In November 2016, Burial was presented in a solo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon. Mitchell was shortlisted for the Neddy Artist Award at Cornish, 2015, for the Artist Trust Arts Innovator Award, 2016 and 2017 and was the recipient of the Kayla Skinner Award, Betty Bowen Committee, Seattle Art Museum, 2016. His work is in public and private collections, including that of the Frye Art Museum.

��ܽ��Ƶ Jewellery Design & Metalsmithing
Department exhibition — Gallery 2

Anna Leonowens Gallery kicks off each Fall semester with an exhibition highlighting one of ��ܽ��Ƶ’s areas of study. This year we are showcasing ��ܽ��Ƶ’s Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing department. This exhibition is an opportunity to see the work of faculty and technicians spanning several decades of jewellery and metalsmithing at ��ܽ��Ƶ.

A Medal For
��ܽ��Ƶ/AUArts jewellery exchange exhibition — Gallery 3

In Winter 2019, ��ܽ��Ƶ professor Rebecca Hannon and AUArts professor Lyndsay Rice set aside a week to initiate an exchange project between the two universities to facilitate new connections between senior jewellery students. Agreed upon was the symbolic form of the medal which students interpreted in thoughtful, modern, and humorous ways.

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Kim Paquet, Starfish Student Art Award grand prize winner!

tagadmin — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 08:14:11 +0000

Kim Paquet (BFA 2020), Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing
Beyond the appearances, 2019. Grout, Concrete, steel, silver, rope, rough black diamond
Ring: 4.5 x 4 x 5.5 cm, Brooch: 13 x 6 x 2 cm, Necklace: 47 x 14 x 4 cm

To the extent that addicts reveal themselves as complex and mysterious beings, my jewellery reveals something about the interaction between self-destruction, freedom desire and the complexity of this relationship. My work uses architectural elements to illustrate the geographical contrast of the makeshift shelters of homeless addicts and skyscrapers in big cities while juxtaposing the common material of concrete and steel contrasting with powerful colors of street art. Damaged but solid, my work creates a feeling of instability, isolation and detachment. Far from attempting any kind of reconciliation, my jewelry evokes the everyday violence that addicts face as they struggle to hold on to their place in society.

Scars can’t be erased but the pain of the past must be revisited, and a new way forward can be found… a notion which guides my process ��ܽ��Ƶ in this series. I reflect on the complex feelings and memories of my experience working on the street with drugs addicts, where I learned the importance of mutual trust in the moments when everything feels uncertain. Expressed in my intuitively created concrete and paint works, is my understanding of the importance of living in the present, accepting one’s mistakes and moving forward– a process ��ܽ��Ƶ, which is equally as important as the end result.

Juror Laura Ritchie, Director/Curator of the MSVU Art Gallery: “This room is filled with so much promise … when I got to see all of the work in person for the first time I was elated. This is a remarkable array of work that proves why ��ܽ��Ƶ continues to stand out internationally. We had a very difficult task … eventually we were town between two artists. With the consultation of the organizers we were able to create an Honorable mention category as a way to recognize the 10th anniversary of this award. The 10th anniversary Honorable mention goes to an artist who shows mastery in their media. This artist took a western method of story-telling and used it as a tool to tell her story and that of her community across cultures. The Honorable mention and $1,500 prize goes to Megan Kyak-Monteith.”

Megan Kyak-Monteith (BFA 2019), Painting: Whale Hunt: I Think Everyone Is Here, 2019.

Eight other outstanding finalists were recognized and awarded $1000 each for their fine works in nine other disciplines. Congratulations also go to:

Emma Allain (MFA 2019), Expanded Media: This will not be an unfamiliar landscape, 2018. Hand-bound artist’s book and silkscreen prints on rag.
Tyler Anderson (BFA 2019), Drawing: Curl Towards Push Against, 2019. Paper and fabric.
Drayden Decosta (MFA 2020), Film: Rooms of the House, 2018. Film/Video.
Alex Linfield (MFA 2018), Printmaking: The Only Job That Starts At The Top Is Digging A Hole, 2018. Silkscreen on plexiglass, digital pigment print, acrylic on slip cast ceramic.
Liv Mansveld (BFA 2019), Textiles/Fashion: Love Languages, 2018. Woven Textiles, Constructed Garments; A collection of 3 pieces.
Luke Mohan (BFA 2019), Ceramics: Closet, 2018. Ceramics.
Mark Sark (BFA 2020), Sculpture: Sculpture #5, 2018. Sculpture.
Wiebke Schroeder (BA 2018), Photography: Beachwalk, 2018. Photographic image/print.

This is the tenth year for the Starfish Student Art Awards, named for presenting sponsor Starfish Properties. Established by property developer and art collector Louis Reznick and ��ܽ��Ƶ University to recognize and promote exceptional students, the awards provide emerging artists with vital visibility as they embark upon their careers.

2019 Starfish Student Art Awards finalists top row: Emma Allain, Tyler Anderson, Drayden Decosta, Megan Kyak-Monteith, Alex Linfield; bottom row: Liv Mansveld, Luke Mohan, Kim Paquet, Mark Sark, Wiebke Schroeder; Photography by Seamus Gallagher. Individual photo: Luke Mohan, photo by Meghan Macdonald.

Thank you to the creative businesses supporting the 2019 Starfish Student Art Awards:

Gold Sponsors: Engel & Völkers, Lydon Lynch Architects Ltd., TD Insurance

Silver Sponsors: BMO Nesbitt Burns, Citadel Oral & Facial Surgery, CKG Elevator Ltd., Freehold Commercial Realty, Garrison Brewing Co., Halifax Seaport, McInnes Cooper, Southeast Drywall

Supporters: Bird Mechanical, Patterson Law, Rhyno’s Ltd., Spectacle Communications Group

Members of the 2019 Starfish Student Art Awards jury are: Enrique Ferreol, Program Officer at Arts Nova Scotia; Laura Ritchie, Director/Curator of the MSVU Art Gallery; Julie Rosvall, Program Coordinator at Craft Nova Scotia; and Linda Hutchison, Associate Vice President, University Relations, ��ܽ��Ƶ University. The Starfish Student Art Awards are coordinated by Melanie Colosimo, Director of ��ܽ��Ƶ University’s Anna Leonowens Gallery.

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Art Bar +Projects: February 25 – March 4

tagadmin — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:56:48 +0000

February 25 – March 4, 2019Art Bar +Projects, 1873 Granville Street

AFTER ANNA
Mondays during openings, 5:00 – 8:30 pm

We’re here during every single Anna opening! Come warm up!

DICTÉE – AN HOMAGE TO THERESA HAK KYUNG CHA BY MI-YOUNG LEE
Wednesday, February 27, 6:00PM
Presented by MFA Forum

This film is an homage to Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, a visionary Korean-American conceptual artist who was born under the fire of the Korean War and immigrated to San Francisco in 1963. Her work has been shown at the Berkeley Art Museum, Berkeley, CA; Artists Space, New York; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, and the Bronx Museum of Art, New York, among other venues. A major retrospective exhibition of her work, entitled The Dream of the Audience: Theresa Hak Kyung Cha (1951-1982) was organized by University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive in 2001, and traveled to five cities, including Seoul, Korea. Once a ��ܽ��Ƶ visiting artist, she was tragically killed three days after her first book, Dictée was published in 1982.

About the Director:
Mi-Young Lee has been committed to making documentary and expanded films since 1996. Along with multiple awards and grants, her films have been invited to noted international film festivals including Hot Docs, IDFA, CPH:DOX, Yamagata, Busan, Kerala and FID Marseille, and to venues such as CANTHEL at Université Paris Descartes Sorbonne, the Institut national d’histoire de l’art, France, and Visual and Environmental Studies at Harvard University.#PERFORMANCEART @��ܽ��Ƶ WITH BRUCE BARBER
Wednesday, February 27, 7:00PM
Presented by MFA Forum

Bruce Barber is an interdisciplinary media artist, cultural historian and curator whose research and writing explores the representation of art, artists and art history in film, television, cartoons and comics. At ��ܽ��Ƶ University he teaches courses in media arts and film history. He holds a BFA (1973), and MFA in Sculpture and Art History from Auckland University (1975); an MFA (Intermedia), ��ܽ��Ƶ (1978), and PhD (2005), Media and Communications, European Graduate School Leuk Stadt, Switzerland. His interdisciplinary artwork has been exhibited internationally at the Paris Biennale, Sydney Biennale, 49thParallel Gallery, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, Walter Phillips Gallery, London Regional Gallery, Auckland City Art Gallery, Artspace, Sydney and Auckland and is represented in various public and private collections.

ART IN SCHOOLS INITIATIVE PRESENTATION:
CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA
Thursday, February 28, 12:00PM

Are you curious about art education?
Do you want to travel?

Then come hear from Abigail Hann on her experience in Cape Town, South Africa as part of the Art in Schools Initiative.

Successful applicants to the program are provided travel and accommodationsLOUISE PERRONE ARTIST TALK & POTLUCK
Thursday, February 28, 6:00 PM

Louise Perrone is a Canadian jewellery artist who works with materials from domestic and industrial waste, employing techniques that combine the traditions of goldsmithing and hand sewing to explore the values attributed to traditional women’s work. Born in London, England, Perrone holds a Bachelor of Art in Sculpture from the Nottingham Trent University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Art and Design Education from the University of Brighton. In 2002 she graduated from Alberta College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewellery and Metals. Louise Perrone is represented in Canada by Galerie Noel Guyomarc’h and The Craft Council of BC Gallery and in the USA by Heidi Lowe Gallery and Gallery 2052.

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Louise Perrone, Visiting Artist Talk

tagadmin — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 10:29:14 +0000

Louise Perrone, visiting artist talk & pot luckThursday, February 28, 6:00 PM
Art Bar +Projects, 1873 Granville Street

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February Portfolio Day

tagadmin — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 11:36:12 +0000

��ܽ��Ƶ University Portfolio Day is a prospective student’s best opportunity to visit our campuses, tour the unique and generous facilities, learn more about our programs, and meet our faculty and students and learn from them what they do here and what you might want to do here too.

If you have work of your own, bring it along and select the option for Portfolio Review when you register. You will have a one-on-one appointment with faculty who will review your work and give you feedback and suggestions of ways you can improve and develop your work further leading to the preparation of successful portfolio.

Our next Portfolio Day is Saturday, February 16, 2019. If you wish to attend, Once you have completed the registration, we will send you an email detailing the day’s activities and additional information. Don’t forget to indicate whether or not you would like to bring a Portfolio or some work to be reviewed. Last day to register will be Friday, February 15.

offers visitors to ��ܽ��Ƶ a discounted rate of stay!

If you have any questions, please email admissions@nscad.ca

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Art Bar +Projects: January 28 – February 3

tagadmin — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 08:33:30 +0000

January 28 – February 3, 2019Art Bar +Projects, 1873 Granville Street

STUDENT EXCHANGE PRESENTATIONS
Monday, January 28, 12:15 pm

Presentations from returning students Zhan Zhan (jewellery and metalsmithing) and Zhen Ma (interdsciplinary design).AFTER ANNA
Mondays during openings, 5:00 – 8:30 pm

We’re here during every single Anna opening! Come warm up!MFA FORUM
Wednesday 6:00 – 8:00 pm

This winter, the MFA forum will host a discussion series. The intention is to foster increased collaboration between faculty and graduate students, and to host and event for exploration, experimentation and discussion of a variety of topics within the University Community.

MFA Forum is open to the public!

Borguesse Mozaffarian is currently working towards her BFA in Jewelry Design & Metalsmithing.

STUDENT EXCHANGE PRESENTATIONS
Thursday, January 31, 12:15 pm

Presentations from returning students Sorrel Van Allen (jewellery and metalsmithing) and Borguesse Mozaffarian (jewellery and metalsmithing).VINYL COLLECTION LISTENING SERIES
Fridays this semester, 12:00 pm

Join the Library every Friday at noon to listen to and discuss the sounds found in the ��ܽ��Ƶ Library Vinyl Collection.

To check out the full list of records go to

For more information or to make a record request for the series contact Lelland Reed at lreed@nscad.ca

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Ceramics End of Term Show

tagadmin — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 12:42:08 +0000

Ceramics End of Term ShowTuesday, December 11 through Saturday, December 15
Opening Reception: Tuesday, December 11, 5:30 – 8:00 PM
��ܽ��Ƶ Port Campus, 1107 Marginal Road

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Jewellery and Metalsmithing Archives - ��ܽ����Ƶ

��ܽ����Ƶ signs Fairmined agreement to use responsibly sourced silver and gold