Jacobs the Jewellers and the Bishopsland Educational Trust, together with sponsors the Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh, announced the winners of the fourth year of the annual Young Designer Competition. The three-week long competition closed this week with the winners announced and a demonstration in a packed shop at Reading-based Jacobs the Jewellers. In-competition designers were joined by the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Debs Edwards; Chris Oliver, Head of Professional Training at the Goldsmiths centre; Andrew Wilgress, HS Walsh; Penelope Makower, Principal and Oliver Makower, Vice-principal of Bishopsland; Ian, Adrienne and Adam Jacobs as well as enthusiastic Jacobs customers.
Esme Tanner, Takuya Kamiyama, Abigail Asher and Yirong Zhu demonstrated the hand skills of granulation, raising and punching, chain making and enamelling in front of the eager crowd and several items by world-renowned silversmith Gerald Benney, on loan from Reading Borough Council’s civic collection, were visible in a rare public showing. The event also participated in local arts organisation Jelly’s annual Open for Art cultural programme, a firmly established event in Reading.
Five young Bishopsland designers - Abigail Asher, Takuya Kamiyama, Naomi Scott, Esme Tanner and Yirong Zhu took part in the exciting Young Designer Competition held at Jacobs from 19th June – 6th July. Each participant showcased an item of silver as well as a piece of jewellery. Over the three-week period, visitors to the store voted for their favourite jewellery design as well as their preferred silver object. Dedicated customers and first-time visitors were captivated by the novel and stylish designs. The competition attracted a record number of public votes – over 250 votes were cast, the results were as follows:
Jewellery: Esme Tanner with “Wiggle necklace" - pictured below Silver: Takuya Kamiyama with “Pair of beakers” - pictured below
The winners each received £350 worth of vouchers to spend on tools or materials to help establish their careers in the jewellery and silver industry plus a framed presentation certificate.
Adam Jacobs, owner of Jacobs the Jewellers commented “I’m delighted with this year’s competition and thank the gang for their efforts in creating another set of standout designs. Thank you to the Bishopsland team, our co-sponsors and customers for their continued interest and support.”
Oliver Makower, Vice Principal, Bishopsland was equally happy, "This is a very special competition which gives Bishopsland’s young talented emerging silversmiths and jewellers the opportunity to experience exhibiting their work in a local high-quality retail environment. Combined with the public vote it’s an invaluable experience for them."
Peter Taylor, Director, The Goldsmiths Centre said: “The Trustees of the Goldsmiths’ Centre are delighted to have had the opportunity to support this showcase for Bishopsland at Jacobs the Jewellers. All of the participants are to be congratulated on producing pieces that have sparked the public’s imagination, we wish them every success in the future.”
Andrew Willgress, representing HS Walsh commented: “Glad to be involved with this fantastic project which promotes the future of the trade”.
