Flying Artist Clare Poppi recently delivered a 2 day ‘Introduction to Silversmithing’ workshop at a school in Mt Isa.

This is the fourth year I have travelled to Mt Isa with Flying Arts to teach this particular workshop to grade 11 & 12 students. Each year it seems to improve as both the organizer, Sonja Vasjello and myself grow more comfortable in the structure of the workshop, and make improvements to how we can run it.

On our first day we began with a simple ring-making project where students learnt to size and construct a ring. This year we added an additional technique – metal texturing with hammers. I demonstrated how hammers could be modified to become texturing tools and the students were encouraged to use a texturing hammer to finish their rings. During this time I also spoke individually with students about their larger projects to be completed out of class time. We discussed the techniques needed to realize these projects and began constructing elements.

On the second day we continues work on these projects with demonstrations on riveting, polishing and forming. By the end of the class all students had completed their rings and most were well underway with their second projects.

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“We’re really blessed to have Claire Poppi, Brisbane-based jewellery artist, to come and do a workshop with my Year 11 and 12 creative arts students,” said art teacher Sonja James … “We’ve had past students actually go on to work with a jeweller here in town and you just know you’re giving the student an interest that they may not be exposed to in other areas, and that can lead to their passion and purpose in life,” Ms James said.

Read more in the ABC article about this workshop