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Academy expands young metalsmiths program
Creative Side Jewelry in Austin, Texas is extending its Youth Metalsmiths program into the fall, offering after-school, home-school and weekend workshops.
In addition to its courses, Creative Side Jewelry also offers apprenticeship opportunities throughout the year, specifically designed with the emerging artist in mind.
Austin, Texas--Creative Side Jewelry in Austin just announced that it is extending its Young Metalsmiths program into the fall, offering after-school, home-school and weekend workshops for kids ages 10 to 15 to learn about metalsmithing and the jewelry industry.
Creative Side Jewelry first opened its doors to children this summer, inviting them to attend one-week sessions to focus on their jewelry-making skills.
The fall courses begin Sept. 1, with classes focusing on working with different hand tools and equipment, including the saw, torch, hammers and anvils.
The class offerings are the latest in a line of actions taken by the industry to get younger people interested in jewelry, and is one of a couple of programs targeted at children who are in their teenage years or younger.
Earlier this year, the International Gemological Institute organized a “Young Gemologists” seminar for students of the Oberoi International School in Mumbai, giving them a hands-on workshop about colored gemstones, and the Gemological Institute of America has developed a curriculum for third- through fifth-grade students called “GemKids for Schools,” teaching them about geology, mineralogy and gemology.
Lindsay Hendricks, program director and instructor at Creative Side Jewelry, said the classes help students improve their hand-eye coordination, strengthen their artistic voice and apply geometry, chemistry and engineering to their work.
“My goal is to empower the individual and build their confidence in creative expression through the art of jewelry,” she said.
Additional information and specific dates for the Young Metalsmiths classes can be found at Creativeside.org or by calling 512-799-0731.
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