The wonderful Jewellery and Silversmithing department at Edinburgh College of Art

This photo was taken just before my degree show in 2011.

I’ve been trying to think about what to say since I heard that Edinburgh College of Art is ending its undergraduate jewellery and silversmithing, textiles and performance costume courses. But writing has never been my strong suit. Making things in metal is. 

I arrived at ECA in 2007 thinking I was going to study painting, but at the time the first year was a foundation year that allowed us to try out different departments. I remember my first day in J&S standing in awe watching a soldering demonstration. I’ve never done this before and you’re letting me use a blowtorch right away?! Meeting Dorothy Hogg that day made me change all my plans. From my second year onwards I spent every day making and drawing, learning technical and design skills from tutors Stephen Bottomley, Susan Cross and Grant McCaig, as well as technicians and artists in residence who would inspire, encourage and push me. 

The ECA jewellery department is a gem. It would be a horrendous loss to Scottish craft to allow this course to close. Following the merger with Edinburgh uni the first year foundation year changed, and I was already so disappointed for those who, like me, hadn't considered studying jewellery prior to art school who wouldn't get the same chance to discover their passion for it like I did. To lose the entire course is devastating.

I am so proud to be an alumna of this renowned department. The skills we gained allow graduates to work across so many industries, to teach, to set up businesses, to make.

I now have my own studio, still making, still learning, and I get to make wedding rings for lovely people for a living. 

I love working in metal. I love using the same techniques and tools that goldsmiths and silversmiths have used for hundreds, even thousands, of years. Craft skills need to be taught and carried on and they need to be accessible. Opportunities to train in Scotland are dwindling when the demand for Scottish craft is so high. Make that make sense. 

Edinburgh University, please reconsider this short-sighted decision.

And now I’m in my studio designing a custom engagement ring, all because I was lucky enough to be in education in 2007 and not now.

Please consider signing the petition organised by Craft Scotland on change.org

Thank you for reading all of that!

Rhona x