Acrylic and aluminium - pendant making workshop

18 and 19 August 2011, Emerald                                     

Journal Entry: Dan Cox (AoT Artist)

Mid-August saw me flying out to Emerald to conduct a two-day Acrylic and Aluminium Pendant Making workshop at Emerald State High School.

The workshop was designed to introduce students in years 10 to12 to some basic techniques in jewellery making, with a strong focus on recycling, which they could apply within their own arts practice.

After extensive explanation and demonstration as to what we would be doing, the students started designing their pendants with much enthusiasm. Most chose simple designs that they had developed themselves, allowing them to grasp the concept of the project without too much of a challenge regarding technical skill. My idea is always to make a workshop fun and for everyone to get a result that they are pleased with. However, it was not long before a competition started amongst us all as to who could break the least blades! A competition one of the teachers lost miserably, much to the delight of students.

The following day I worked with the same group of students. As they had completed their pendants on the first day, I challenged them further by getting them to make a ring with multiple layers of acrylic and aluminium. This proved to be much more of a challenge. Some of the students fully grasped the concept and ended up making two rings!

The teachers and students alike, made me feel very welcome, and although the trip was a whirlwind, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with high school students and seeing firsthand that youthful enthusiasm for the arts is alive and strong in rural Queensland.

Images: workshop participant making a ring during Dan Cox's workshop in Emerald; final piece by Antonia Mobbs.