The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust (SGT) in parternship with Marchmont Creative Spaces launches a brand new fully equipped workspace for silversmiths in Scottish Borders. The workshop will profile silversmithing as an important part of Scotland's craft heritage and support its future. Our ethos at Marchmont is in the spirit of the Arts & Crafts movement, inspired by the natural world so we are delighted to further enrich the cultural profile of the area by adding silversmithing to our studio and workshop spaces.
The workshop will provide opportunities for three early career silversmiths to develop their businesses over a two year tenancy, with mentoring from master silversmith, Ryan McClean
A fifth bench will provide space for one-week to one-month long residencies, enabling silversmiths across the UK and internationally to develop new work and welcome knowledge and cultural exchange.
In 2020, the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust was generously gifted the entire contents of the late Master Silversmith Graham Stewart's workshop, including the tools, machinery and books he collected throughout his career and used on a daily basis. It was Graham's wish, and the wish of his family, that these continue to be used to support early career silversmiths in Scotland.
Access to tools and a fully equipped workshop is one of the major challenges facing early career silversmiths. The workshop at Marchmont will be fully kitted out with a vast array of tools and equipment including a huge variety of stakes, hammers, lathe, fly press, drills, engraving tools, vices and much more that have been gifted to the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust.
We have planned a weekend celebration which will delight fellow silversmiths along with supporters of traditional crafts, artists, collectors, curators and makers.
We also have accommodation available for those who would like enough time to unwind in the comfort and splendour of Marchmont House, the recently restored 'Grade A' listed Palladian mansion awarded the Historic Houses/Sotheby's Award in 2018.
For those staying overnight this is an intimate 'house party' offering two nights stay with dinner, breakfast, lunch and drinks included. The celebration dinner on Saturday evening is a black tie event which will take place in the magnificent Lorimer Dining Room at Marchmont. Weekend guests will also be taken on a guided tour of the house and a special outdoor walk in the grounds with Marchmont director, Hugo Burge.
Arrive on the Friday afternoon in time for tea and cakes, followed by an opportunity to tour the Marchmont Art Collection with our Curator, Francis Raeymaekers before taking in the peace and quiet of the Berwickshire countryside from the Terrace for drinks, before sitting round the table in the Old Kitchen Gallery for an informal dinner.
After a 'Full Marchmont' breakfast Saturday sees the official opening ceremony of the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop and we will include a full programme of talks, panel discussion, silversmith demonstrations, workshop visit and the raising of a communal bowl along with plenty of time to meet fellow makers and enthusiasts. All teas, coffees and a seasonal buffet lunch is included in the day ticket.
09:30 Refreshments on Arrival
10:25 Welcome
Ebba Goring, Chief Executive of TheScottish Goldsmiths Trust
10:30 Marchmont: A new home to makers and creators
Hugo Burge, Director of Marchmont Ventures
10:45 The Power of Craft in a Transformational Age: How previous movements inform the future of culture
Lisa Koenigsberg, President & Founder of Initiatives in Art and Culture NYC
11:15 Comfort break
11:30 The Marchmont SilversmithingWorkshop: A New Home for Silversmithing
Ebba Goring,Chief Executive of The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust
11:45 The Fifth Bench: International Residency at the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop: Creativity, Collaboration and Community
Professor Sandra Wilson, University of Dundee; Andean silversmithing, Endangered Material Knowledge Programme of the British Museum. Dr Emilia Ferraro, Lecturer in Sustainable Design, University of Dundee
We welcome Gabriela Andrade and Fernando Buitron from Ecuador - the first residencies at Marchmont, with residency supported by the Marchmont Makers Foundation and travel to Scotland made possible by The Silver Society and University of Dundee.
11:55 Silver in Contemporary Life: Panel Discussion moderated by Corinne Julius, Critic & Applied Arts Journalist
Bryony Knox, Silversmith & Trustee of The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust, Sheng Zhang, Silversmith, Colin Fraser, Consultant Silver Specialist, Lyon & Turnbull
Anna Gordon, Head of Department, Silversmithing and Jewellery Design at The Glasgow School of Art
12:45 Buffet Lunch and sign-up for afternoon activities
14:00 The Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop Formal Opening Ceremony
Hugo Burge will cut the ribbon and formally open the workshop.
14:15 Afternoon Activities
An informal afternoon of fun activities for silversmiths and visitors.Visitors will be divided into small groups and invited to take part in activities.
Silversmithing Workshop Tour: Meet the Marchmont Makers
Guided tour of the workshop, meet the silversmiths and watch demonstrations.
Raising of a Silver Community Bowl: Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop
All visitors are invited to take part in raising from a flat sheet of recycled silver, a ‘Community Bowl’.
Refreshments will be available in the Common Room
Group Discussion: Sustainability and ethical working practices for silversmiths
An opportunity to take part in a practical discussion about steps you can take as a silversmith to make your business more sustainable and what it means for your business with Dr Karen Westland.
16:30 Refreshments
17:00 Day end and transport to Berwick-upon-Tweed station
Please contact us after booking if you have any dietary or access requirements. If the ticket you are looking for is unavailable, please also get in touch with our office
Dress code: Casual (with outdoor shoes and waterproof coat recommended too) but a more formal 'black tie' for the celebration dinner on the Saturday night.
Our cancellation period is 14 days in advance.
We will happily offer a refund or a credit for a later date before then, please do get in touch.
Should we cancel the event for any reason you will receive a complete refund.
Subscribe to be the first to hear about upcoming Events & Occasions.
.jpg)
