RESPONSE: Jewellery on Film

SquarePeg Studios was established in 2011 to create a unique space for making and learning all things jewellery and metalsmithing. The warehouse space in Marrickville has become a respected and loved part of the Sydney creative arts scene, with artist studios and a busy jewellery school.

During Sydney Craft Week, SquarePeg offers the chance to create a piece of your own jewellery from scratch with hands-on ring making workshops. All visitors are welcome to the Open Studio Day and a special contemporary jewellery film night. For more information see here.

What makes SquarePeg a special creative hub in Sydney?
SquarePeg has been built from the ground up to provide an inspiring space for people to learn jewellery making and cultivate their craft in a contemporary context. Having operated since 2011, nearly 15 years later, we are still passionate about what we do!

What kind of work is done at SquarePeg?
The range is extensive. In our classroom environment, students can start as absolute beginners with no experience, learning to work with silver to create their own jewellery designs, then progress through to a series of advanced jewellery-making classes.

SquarePeg’s resident jewellers in our studios have very diverse practices. For instance, Fiona Mellor’s work ranges from large to small sculptures and wearable art. Linda Blair includes everything from liquid enamel to carved wooden works. Momoko Hatano offers multiple contemporary collections under her eponymous label. Pierre Cavalan brings a traditional background to his mixed media art. Emily Copp explores modern technologies like 3D-printing and laser etching alongside traditional making techniques. Zoe Pollitt’s first range in 2023 was inspired by her love of typography (her new show opens at Gaffa Gallery this October). Som Luong sells his quirky and whimsical designs through Studio Melt.

How many practicing artists have studios there?
We currently have spaces for 13 jewellery artists, with our 14th space reserved for our self-funded residency program supporting emerging artists. This graduate residency program offers three recent tertiary jewellery studies graduates a three-month residency each year. Having the studios and school in one space contributes to the vibrancy of SquarePeg. The two beating hearts of the classroom and studios foster constant cross-pollination. Many of our tutors are resident artists, and we’ve seen makers who started learning their craft with us at SquarePeg go on to further studies and eventually return as graduate residents, then maintain studio spaces here. It’s inspiring to work together and collaborate with like-minded creatives.

What will people learn at the ring-making workshops?
Our popular “Make a Ring in a Day” workshops are designed to cover the key foundational skills that form the basis of any jewellery-making practice. These fast-paced, bite-sized classes provide an authentic learning experience, where students truly make their rings by their own hand with expert assistance from their tutor. Students start by practicing on copper before progressing to working with silver to create their final silver ring, which typically features beautiful textured details such as stamping or embossing on a beautifully finished sterling silver ring.

How is the teens and tweens workshop different?
It is similar to our adult ring-making workshop, covering the same key foundational skills and providing an authentic metalworking experience where students create their own textured sterling silver ring. However, the class is limited to participants between the ages of 10 and 17 years old. Students younger than 14 must have a guardian attend with them, and all students have the option for a guardian to attend - either for free as support or with a paid ticket to participate in the ring-making class. Families can also use their Creative Kids voucher for this class.

What happens at the Open Studio on 19 October?
It’s a wonderful opportunity to see ‘behind the scenes’ in our jewellery workshop, meet the makers and purchase beautiful contemporary wearable art direct from their benches. Most of our makers only otherwise sell via galleries or online so it’s a great way to chat to the artist and see their works in person – and perhaps take something home to cherish!

Is this your first Jewellery Film Night night?
Yes. Resident artist and SquarePeg director Emily Copp had the idea to host a contemporary film night as part of Sydney Craft Week. The goal is to bring people together for a fun social event and share and celebrate contemporary jewellery practitioners from around the world, and how they respond to global issues through their work. You don’t need to be interested in jewellery to attend—the variety of short films will appeal to anyone interested in the arts.

Is SquarePeg a Sydney Craft Week regular?
Yes! We have participated since the Festival’s inception in 2017. We love being inspired by each year’s theme and discovering the many and varied spaces that participate each year.

Workshops Make a ring in a day Saturday 12 October, 10am – 4pm and Teens and Tweens Make a Ring in a Day Sunday 20 October, 10am – 4pm; Open Studio Saturday 19 October, 3 - 6pm; Film Night Saturday 19 October, 6 - 8pm.

For information and bookings see squarepegstudios.com.au

Sydney Craft Week, 11-20 October 2024