From left: Caroline, Tamar, Jessica, Natalie, Debbie, Brigette, Catherine (and, just sneaking in, one proud son).
The students and staff at the on-site Jewellery campus of Hungry Creek held their graduation ceremony and prize giving last weekend. A wide range of the work from the year was also on display at the studio, which we feature below.
Catherine Randall, year 2 "best student"
As well as Kawai Purapura, Hungry Creek Art & Craft School have another campus at Puhoi. Their courses include Certificates and Diplomas from level 4 to level 6, spanning three years, plus the Advanced Diploma at level 7.
Catherine Randall, detail
The courses on-site are practical, with most of the time spent in the workshop. Students learn traditional and contemporary making and design skills.
Jessica Gillespie, year 1 "best student"
Shane Hartdegen, the Head of Department for Jewellery, explained that students are encouraged to work with a variety of materials and, just as important, to become comfortable with experimenting with designs and concepts.
Jessica Gillespie, detail
The curriculum exposes students to a varied yet inter-related study program. The aim is to give each student the skills to enter the industry either as a jewellery designer, manufacturing jeweller, or self employed studio jeweller. There is also the opportunity to go onto further study.
Each student created mountings for their work, as can be seen in the photos below.
Kim Whalen
Tamar Lazarus
Carolina van Ruiten
Full details of the Hungry Creek courses are at http://hungrycreek.ac.nz/