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Designed to help ambitious and entrepreneurial artists at an early career stage to develop their skills and creative enterprises in a supportive environment, the programmes offer access to shared workspace and equipment, technical and mentor support, business advice and occasional commission and exhibition opportunities.
The Starter Studio Programme for Silversmiths & Jewellers was established in January 2002. Delivered from a fully equipped silversmith workshop at the award winning Persistence Works Studios, over 80% of the silversmiths who have completed the programme have set up their own silversmith workshop.
The Starter Studio mentors are all experienced, nationally known silversmiths and/or jewellers, including include Brett Payne, Chris Knight, Maria Hanson, Rebecca Joselyn, Coilin O’Dubhghaill and Jennie Gill.
Silversmith Robert Lamb and Ben Friend offer weekly technical support to starters.
"Having established and renowned silversmiths as our mentors has given us a better sense of direction. Because they share their knowledge and experience so openly, it has really helped with determining how to take the first and often frightening steps to setting up our own silversmithing businesses"
Sarah Denny, Silversmith (and previous beneficiary of the programme)
The programme is supported by Sheffield Assay Office via thier annual Precious Little Gems commision. Previous commisions from 2004 -2014 for the 'Little Gems Collection' which was exhibited in full to over 10,000 visitors at the Goldsmiths Centre in London in 2015 and was shown again in Museum Sheffield’s Metalwork Gallery in 2016.
In the second year on the programme all makers are offered the opportunity to apply for the 'Precious Little Gems' Commission Award via Sheffield Assay Office in partnership with Yorkshire Artspace. Launched in 2014 (to complement the Little Gems awards est. 2002) this is the start of a new collection of fine silverware which will be shown at Millennium Galleries through our partnership with Museums Sheffield.
"I am extremely proud of what has been achieved over the last 9 years and delighted that the programme has contributed significantly to Sheffield's aim to remain the UK centre for innovative metalwork design and craftsmanship." Ashley Carson, Assay Master, Sheffield Assay Office
Historically renowned throughout the world as a centre of excellence for the cutlery industry, Sheffield still has a thriving infrastructure for the silversmithing sector and many established silversmiths have workshops either at Yorkshire Artspace or elsewhere in the city.
Sheffield is a friendly and lively city with a population of approx. 700,000. Located on the boundary of the stunning Peak District National Park, Sheffield has great transport links (approx. 2 hours to London and approx 1 hour to Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Leeds by train). It is claimed that Sheffield has more artists than any other city in England apart from London and this is reflected in the number of studio groups in the city. Sheffield is a great place to get your creative career started and we are happy to help you find your way around if you are new to the city. Visit Our Favourite Places for more info.
The Starter Studio Programme for Silversmithing & Jewellery is now open to applications .
Persistence Works Studios
21 Brown Street, Sheffield, S1 2BS
Directions
Exchange Place Studios
Exchange Street, Sheffield, S2 5TR
Directions
Manor Oaks Studios
389 Manor Lane, Sheffield, S2 1UL
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Charity No.1049370
Registration No.3034923