The competition, in its seventh year, is supported by the partnership between the Department of Arts and Culture and the Thuthuka Jewellery Development Programme.
The intention of the Thuthuka Jewellery Awards is to showcase the best of South Africa’s young up-and-coming jewellery designers who are learning jewellery making skills at community jewellery schools or at tertiary jewellery design departments, and who have had the additional advantage of having been mentored in contemporary design through the mentorship programme.
Founder of the development programme, Carola Ross said, “With the fashion industry as the focal point for this year’s competition, entrants have had to raise the level of excellence in both design innovation and manufacturing to create sturdy, wearable and beautiful multi-functional handmade pieces.
“The standard of entries we have received this year is testament to the critical insight students have gained into the principles of contemporary design and public preference.”
According to Ross, the competition is aimed at providing a platform for student jewellers to have their work professionally showcased.
The competition theme in the past has been aligned to practical design-related industry sectors such as homeware, tableware, lighting and now, fashion.
The intention is that this additional experience would ultimately broaden their employment opportunities.
The exposure through the annual Thuthuka Awards exhibition also benefits entrants in building an industry profile and public interest in their work.
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