A successful collaboration with the Bishopsland Educational Trust, the Goldsmiths’ Centre, HS Walsh and Jelly Arts.
#silverdesign @jacobsthejewellers @bishopsland_uk @GsmithsCentre @goldsmithsco @hswalshandsons @thejellyreading
Jacobs the Jewellers, Reading’s oldest independent jewellery retailer, was today thrilled to share the two winners of its annual Emerging Designer Competition. 2020’s sixth edition delivered a new experience, being totally online allowing international participation in the show. Over 1000 votes were cast during June, well over double the previous record. The results were as follows:
Jewellery Winner, Rebecca Oldfield: earrings + brooch
Silver Winner, Sarah Shelton-Palmer: wine carafe
Five Bishopsland designers took part in the exciting Competition presented on www.jacobsthejewellers.com during June. Each participant showcased an item of silver as well as a piece of jewellery. Over the weeklong voting period, visitors to the website voted for their favourite jewellery design as well as their preferred silver object. The Right Worshipful Mayor of Reading Councillor David Stevens also took advantage in visiting the gang to see their work to raise the profile of the competition mid-way through voting period.
The winners each received £350 of HS Walsh vouchers to spend on tools or materials to help establish their careers in the jewellery and silver industry plus a framed presentation certificate. These were presented in a live video call – another first for the competition! The event also synchronised with local arts organisation Jelly’s annual Open for Art cultural programme, a firmly established arts event in Reading.
The annual competition has been made possible for the Bishopsland Educational Trust through the initiative, co-operation and support of Jacobs the Jewellers, the Goldsmiths’ Centre and HS Walsh. Local arts organisation ‘Jelly’, supporters since the competition’s inception in 2014. All parties are supporting this competition with a clear commitment to the craft and artists of Bishopsland Educational Trust not to mention Reading as a creative centre in the South East.
Key links: Media and Video of presentation
Adam Jacobs, partner, Jacobs the Jewellers: “In testing circumstances the designers showed real grit to deliver fabulous pieces – congratulations to them all. Well done to the winners of a hotly contested and widely supported public vote. 1000+ votes shows a real appetite amongst the public for unique design – everyone should be really encouraged.”
Chris Oliver, Head of Professional Training of the Goldsmiths Centre: “Congratulations to this year’s winners from the Goldsmiths’ Centre. We’re delighted that so many people voted online to choose their favourite emerging designers and have helped to support a new generation of jewellers and silversmiths.”
Penelope & Oliver Makower, Founders of Bishopsland Educational Trust: “Well done to all of the participants. We were particularly pleased with the contribution from all of the members, which has made it an important and worthwhile event.”
H S WALSH’s Patrick Sheehan commented “Congratulations to the winners but we feel it is important to stress that all entrants were winners, although there has to be a winner and runner up. The time taken by individuals to view the exhibits and vote on line is a statement for this great competition. Walsh are proud to be able to support the emerging young and talented designers. Well done everyone.”
Jelly Director Suzanne Stallard:“ We were delighted to see the response to the online exhibition and voting this year. Thank you to Jacobs for making this happen. It has been wonderful to see the work and so very pleased that we could support these emerging designers. Well done to all the makers.”
The Right Worshipful Mayor of Reading Cllr David Stevens: “I am delighted to be supporting Jacobs the Jewellers’ annual Emerging Designers Competition, which showcases the creative talent of our young designers of the future. The competition is always to an incredibly high standard and plays a really important role in highlighting the need to support independent business and emerging talents in craft. I think it’s fantastic that this year’s event has been able to go ahead online and look forward to seeing all the winning entries.”
For press enquiries and interviews please contact Adam Jacobs, owner Jacobs the Jewellers 25, King St | Reading |0118 959 0790
adam.jacobs@jacobsthejewellers.com
