Latest news with #WorldCraftsCouncil
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
World Craft status for city's jewellery trade
Birmingham's global influence in jewellery making has been recognised by being granted World Craft City Status. World Crafts Council President, Saad Al-Qaddumi, said the title celebrated the city's "rich heritage, skilled artisans, creative designers, proud makers, and innovative contributions to the jewellery industry." Only eight other cities in Europe have been awarded the title. This includes Stoke-on-Trent which was awarded the status last year for its pottery craft. The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) said the award "signifies a landmark moment for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, placing the city's historic Jewellery Quarter firmly on the global stage." Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter sits close to the city centre and has been a manufacturing centre for more than 200 years. Shops only started to appear in the 1970s when manufacturers decided to sell to individual customers. To get the status, an international judging panel visited the School of Jewellery, established in 1890 and situated in a Grade II-listed building on Vittoria Street, where they took part in a silversmithing workshop and viewed the artistry and craftsmanship of current students. Elsewhere in the Jewellery Quarter, judges stopped at the Birmingham Assay Office, Cooksongold, and the historic Coffin Works. Birmingham's bid was led by JQDT and Birmingham City Council, while being supported by Birmingham City Council and the Goldsmiths Company. Matthew Bott, the chair of JQDT, said: "This is a moment of real pride - not just for the Jewellery Quarter, but for Birmingham and the West Midlands. "We've always known the value of what happens here, and now the world does too. Our thanks go to everyone who helped us reach this point, and we look forward to working with partners old and new to build on this incredible foundation." With the designation now confirmed, the JQDT, supported by city curator Alex Nicholson-Evans, says it will use this recognition as a springboard for further ambition, starting with launching the Birmingham Jewellery Biennial, the UK's jewellery festival. Envisaged as a citywide celebration, plans for the biennial include open studios, jewellery fairs, heritage tours, a trade conference and a flagship exhibition - shining a spotlight on internationally acclaimed artists and emerging talent, selected through a UK-wide open call. JQDT also says the new status opens the door to international partnerships, funding opportunities and collaborative projects - for the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, and the West Midlands. A spokesperson for JQDT said: "With both the Jewellery Quarter and Stoke-on-Trent now recognised as World Craft Cities, the West Midlands is fast becoming a national leader in championing craft as culture. " Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Jewellery students want to save 'dying art' Pottery city wins global recognition for craft JQDT World Crafts Council Birmingham City Council Birmingham Jewellery Biennial
Arab Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Sadu Society celebrates designation of Kuwait as 'World Crafts City' for Sadu
KUWAIT CITY, May 20: Al-Sadu Society hosted a celebration on Monday to commemorate Kuwait's recognition as a "World Crafts City" for Sadu weaving by the World Crafts Council (WCC). This prestigious acknowledgment highlights the nation's ongoing efforts to preserve the traditional craft of Sadu weaving. The event, which runs until Thursday, is held under the patronage of Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi. Among the attendees were Al-Asimah Governor Sheikh Abdullah Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Mohammad Al-Jassar, Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL), Sheikh Athbi Salem Al-Salem Al-Sabah, General Supervisor of the Kuwait (Shift 10) competition, as well as various ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives from the World Crafts Council. Sheikha Bibi Duaij Al-Sabah, Chairman of Al-Sadu Society, expressed her pride at Kuwait's new designation as a "World Crafts City." She highlighted the craft's deep connection to the Kuwaiti identity and the skill of Kuwaiti women, who transform natural resources into intricate artistic creations that have been preserved in the collective memory of the nation. Mohammad Al-Jassar remarked that this international recognition of Kuwait underscores the country's commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage and ensuring its transmission to future generations. WCC delegation leader, President Saad Al-Qaddoumi, expressed his delight at the announcement, acknowledging the significant contributions of the Sadu Society and its honorary leader, Sheikha Altaf Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, as well as the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters. The event also saw the launch of the "Shift Kuwait" competition, organized by the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award. This year's competition aims to raise awareness about the Sadu craft and strengthen its presence, particularly among the youth.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poland exchange scheme opens for young ceramicists
Young ceramics artists are being offered a chance to take part in an exchange with fellow potters in Poland. The British Ceramics Biennial (BCB), an arts organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, has launched a scheme to connect the city's artists with those in Bolesławiec. Stoke-on-Trent's role in the pottery industry dates back hundreds of years and the city has been recognised by the World Crafts Council for its contributions. Six local artists, aged 18-24, will be selected for the exchange for a week-long trip to Bolesławiec in August, when the Polish city hosts its annual ceramics festival. Stoke-on-Trent's pottery industry has been under pressure recently despite its international acclaim, with the Royal Stafford firm collapsing and Portmeirion Group announcing job losses last month. The GMB Union has cited rising energy bills as one of the challenges facing the two firms. BCB runs a series of programmes to support the UK's ceramicists, as well as hosting its biennial in Stoke-on-Trent every two years. Under another exchange scheme, up to 12 local artists will be able to go on a seven-month digital exchange, with the British and Polish teams connecting and sharing ideas online. Six artists will be selected from this cohort for the August visit, with six Polish artists doing a return visit to Stoke-on-Trent in 2026. BCB is calling for Stoke-on-Trent applicants who have experience in ceramics and have faced financial barriers, such as being eligible for free school meals. "We especially want to reach out to people who might not have had the chance to take part in something like this before," Clare Wood, BCB's artistic director and chief executive, said in a statement. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Calls to support city's pottery industry Ceramicists speak of fears for pottery industry City's pottery history documented in exhibition 'How many more blows can the pottery industry take?' British Ceramics Biennial
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Poland exchange scheme offered to Stoke's young ceramicists
Young ceramics artists are being offered a chance to take part in an exchange with fellow potters in British Ceramics Biennial (BCB), an arts organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, has launched a scheme to connect the city's artists with those in Bolesł role in the pottery industry dates back hundreds of years and the city has been recognised by the World Crafts Council for its local artists, aged 18-24, will be selected for the exchange for a week-long trip to Bolesławiec in August, when the Polish city hosts its annual ceramics festival. Stoke-on-Trent's pottery industry has been under pressure recently despite its international acclaim, with the Royal Stafford firm collapsing and Portmeirion Group announcing job losses last GMB Union has cited rising energy bills as one of the challenges facing the two firms. Digital exchange BCB runs a series of programmes to support the UK's ceramicists, as well as hosting its biennial in Stoke-on-Trent every two another exchange scheme, up to 12 local artists will be able to go on a seven-month digital exchange, with the British and Polish teams connecting and sharing ideas artists will be selected from this cohort for the August visit, with six Polish artists doing a return visit to Stoke-on-Trent in is calling for Stoke-on-Trent applicants who have experience in ceramics and have faced financial barriers, such as being eligible for free school meals."We especially want to reach out to people who might not have had the chance to take part in something like this before," Clare Wood, BCB's artistic director and chief executive, said in a statement. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Arab Times
12-02-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait eyes 'World Crafts City' title for the Sadu weaving
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 12: Sheikha Bibi Duaij Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Sadu Crafts Association, announced on Wednesday that international judges from the World Crafts Council will visit Kuwait to evaluate the country as a global city for the Sadu weaving craft. This announcement was made during a press conference held at the Sadu House, in the presence of Sheikha Altaf Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, honorary president of the Sadu Crafts Association, along with jury members from the World Crafts Council. Sheikha Bibi Al-Sabah revealed that the judges had toured Kuwait to assess the country's commitment to preserving and promoting the Sadu craft. Their visit included several important sites and organizations, such as the Sadu House, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, and the Ministry of Education. The delegation also held discussions with representatives from government agencies, cultural institutions, and local craftsmen on ways to develop the craft and integrate it into the global craft scene. Sheikha Bibi noted that the committee visited various cultural centers, including the Naif Palace, the Red Palace, the Peace Palace, and the American Cultural Center, among others. The judges expressed pride in the visit, highlighting Kuwait's role in safeguarding and promoting craft heritage, boosting cultural tourism, and opening new opportunities for Kuwaiti craftsmen. Saad Al-Qaddoumi, President of the World Crafts Organization, shared with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Kuwait had applied for the title of "World Crafts City" for Sadu weaving through the Sadu House, which is a member of the World Crafts Organization. This prestigious title is awarded to cities and regions that significantly contribute to preserving traditional crafts and enhancing their sustainability. Al-Qaddoumi explained that the World Crafts Organization, founded in New York in 1964 and registered in Belgium, is an international non-profit organization. It is the only global entity dedicated to protecting craft heritage across five geographical regions: North America, Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. He also emphasized the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters' support for the World Crafts Organization since 2012, acknowledging Kuwait's vital role as a cultural center. The evaluation by the international judges will focus on how well Kuwait meets the organization's standards, which take into account the cultural, social, and economic aspects of the craft. Al-Qaddoumi mentioned that an official report would be compiled following the evaluation visit, with final recommendations expected within two months. The official decision from the World Crafts Organization will be announced shortly afterward, with hopes that Kuwait will be granted the title by April. Al-Qaddoumi stressed the importance of maintaining the credibility of this process, as the judges are selected from a pool of professional experts, craftsmen, and specialized consultants. He noted that receiving this title would enhance Kuwait's position as a leader in preserving craft heritage and supporting traditional crafts, which serve as a cultural, economic, and tourism asset. The delegation included several distinguished figures: Saad Al-Qaddoumi, President of the World Crafts Council; Dr. Kevin Murray, Vice President of the World Crafts Council from Australia; Dr. Carol Lopez, President of the Americas Region of the World Crafts Council from the United States; Dr. Nadia Mir, Vice President of the Africa Region of the World Crafts Council from South Africa; Mahmoud Ahmed Shah, Director of the Department of Crafts and Tourism in Kashmir, India; and Professor Shomish Singh, a consultant member of the World Crafts Council from India.
