Anyone can do it, says Nelson jeweller
For Nelson jeweller and teacher Kay van Dyk, the opening of her new jewellery school is an “absolute dream come true”.
The project had been in the pipeline for a long time, van Dyk told Stuff.
For 22 years, the art jeweller worked at NMIT teaching adult community education courses in jewellery.
“I always had at least two or three jobs on top of that and also teach mainly at nights on Saturdays,” she said.
“But this will be my main job, and it means that I can teach during the day.”
The space, formerly the Master Valet building on Collingwood St, would open today.
Van Dyk said it was bought by a person who purchased it with the intention that she would support women in the creative industry.
As such, it has become a mini arts precinct, housing the studios of two female artists, and soon hosting a gallery in the building’s front.
Part of the facilities would be the opportunity to “rent a bench” for slots of time.
The Bench, van Dyk’s brainchild, sought to “fill a gap in tertiary arts education”.
Asked what she would like to get out there about jewellery, van Dyk said while it was considered “elevated” and had “this preciousness attached to it”, anyone could do it. When people come and make, say, their first ring, it’s so great to see. People can’t believe they have done it.
“Or like the first time they solder it. It’s magic. I still get such a thrill, seeing that success.”
As the creative director of Nelson Jewellery Week, a biennial celebration for makers to come together, van Dyk was well connected with local professionals.
She was also part of a collective project called Project 21, together with two other Nelsonian jewellers Joel Fitzwell and Katie Pascoe.
Their 21-piece exhibition of collaboratively created art, Exquisite Corpse, was currently showing at The Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt.
But the space wouldn’t just be for highbrow creators or roving practitioners looking for a workspace. Courses at The Bench would range from a three-hour “earrings taster” to stone setting and enamelling, and van Dyk said she was looking forward to teaching her first workshops from February 22 in the freshly opened space.
“I’m so excited,” van Dyk said. “I can’t wait.”
The official launch celebration of The Bench | School for Jewellery at Studio 100, 100 Collingwood St (formerly the Master Valet building) is today from 10am to 2pm.