See & Experience
Are you a craft lover? Or are you looking for that perfect handmade jewellery or silversmithing piece by new creative talent? Mark your calendars with our next event.
Meaning and Messages: ACJ Touring Exhibition
9 January - 24 February 2023
Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm
Free admission
The Goldsmiths' Centre, EC1M 5AD
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Association for Contemporary Jewellery (ACJ) is hosting the major touring showcase “Meanings & Messages” visiting six venues throughout the UK – with one of its final stops at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
Brooches can be subversive and are often used by people in the public eye, by political figures or sovereignty to convey important messages. These messages may be hidden, subtle or occasionally more of an overt protest!
Showcasing up to 60 unique brooches created by its 60 ACJ members, the exhibition will explore the meanings and messages behind the ideal jewellery archetype: the brooch.
Find out more about the ACJ at www.acj.org.uk
Getting Started Spotlighting 2022: Allison Macleod and Lia Lam
Wed 1 February 2023
1pm - 1.45pm (BST)
Free, Online (via Zoom)
Join us online as we introduce two early careers makers in jewellery, Allison Macleod and Lia Lam. As each takes centre stage, hear about their practice and inspirations behind their pieces.
All spot-lit makers have successfully completed the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s free introduction to business course, Getting Started Online in 2022. Our Spotlighting initiative sees start-ups receive further skills training, tailored to their needs, helping them to build their confidence and present their work in person and online.
Champion the best newcomers via our Instagram channel @gsmithscentre or register for this free event to meet Allison Macleod @drallisonmacleod and Lia Lam @lialamdesigns online.
Social justice and societal change: The brooch as a manifesto
Mon 13 February 2023
6pm - 7.15pm (BST)
Pay what you can (Free, £3, £5 or £10)
Online (via Zoom)
Chaired by Dr. Sian Hindle, from the Birmingham Institute of Jewellery, this illustrated panel discussion will consider making and wearing jewellery with a message. Sian will be joined by jewellery artists Drew Markou, Emma McGilchrist, and Mahtab Hanna. Their conversation with explore contemporary jewellery, as well as historic examples, including suffrage ‘badges of affiliation’.
This event is inspired by the Association for Contemporary Jewellery exhibition Meanings and Messages, which showcases 60 brooches.
Our beautiful planet: Sustainability as subject and material in jewellery making
Thu 23 February 2023
6pm - 7.15pm (BST)
Pay what you can (Free, £3, £5 or £10)
Online (via Zoom)
This panel discussion, chaired by curator and maker Joanne Hayward, will explore contemporary jewellery and making practices at the cutting edge of sustainable thinking.
Joanne will be joined in conversation by makers Melanie Eddy, Deborah Beck and Rachael Colley, whose work considers topics including recycling, material use, conscientious making and material innovation, as well as Karen Westland, Ethical Making Programme Manager at the Scottish Goldsmiths’ Trust.
This event is inspired by the Association for Contemporary Jewellery exhibition Meanings and Messages, which showcases 60 brooches.
Getting Started Spotlighting 2022: Catherine Fiabane, Lavinia Bo Adkins and Claire Skelton
Wed 1 March 2023
1pm - 1.45pm (BST)
Free, Online (via Zoom)
Join us online as we introduce three of the UK’s best newcomers in jewellery, Catherine Fiabane, Lavinia Bo Adkins and Claire Skelton. As each takes centre stage, hear about their sources of inspiration and how they make their pieces.
All spot-lit makers have successfully completed the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s free introduction to business course, Getting Started Online in 2022. Our Spotlighting initiative sees start-ups receive further skills training, tailored to their needs, helping them to build their confidence and present their work in person and online.
Champion the best newcomers via our Instagram channel @gsmithscentre or register for this free event to meet Catherine Fiabane @thelanefinejewellery , Lavinia Bo Adkins @lavinia.bo.jewellery and Claire Skelton claire_skelton_artist_maker online.
Book now
Rediscovering Cartier and Tiffany & Co with Rachael Taylor
Thu 2 March 2023
6pm - 8pm
£12 (includes a glass of wine or soft drink)
As a long-time jewellery journalist, Rachael Taylor thought she knew everything there was to know about two of the industry’s biggest players - Cartier and Tiffany & Co. Yet in the process of writing two books on the maisons as part of her The Story Behind the Style series, published by Bonnier Books in 2022, she found herself reassessing her view of these famous brands.
Join Rachael at the Goldsmiths’ Centre for an evening discussion that will share some of the most intriguing stories she discovered while writing her books and take you on a journey through time that charts the rise and rise of Cartier and Tiffany & Co. There will be the opportunity to ask questions and buy signed copies of Rachael’s books.
Getting Started Spotlighting 2022: Mark Newman, Amber Doughty and Cara Lowe
Wed 22 March 2023
1pm - 1.45pm (BST)
Free, Online (via Zoom)
Join us online as we introduce three of the UK’s early careers makers in jewellery and silversmithing, Mark Newman, Amber Doughty and Cara Lowe. As each takes centre stage, discover the stories and making processes behind their pieces.
All spot-lit makers have successfully completed the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s free introduction to business course, Getting Started Online in 2022. Our Spotlighting initiative sees start-ups receive further skills training, tailored to their needs, helping them to build their confidence and present their work in person and online.
Champion the best newcomers via our Instagram channel @gsmithscentre or register for this free event to meet Mark Newman @marknewmanjewellery , Amber Doughty @amber.doughty_jewellery and Cara Lowe @caralowestudio online.