A new initiative created by the Local Enterprise Office Waterford aims to support students studying craftwork and design in Waterford. Two students have already been selected from the Waterford VTOS Craft and Design course for a 3-month placement in Kite Design Studios this summer.
Svitlana Sakhno and Tetiana Chechel having just completed their first year were chosen to be given a space at Kite where they can learn the practical skills of running a craft and design studio first hand.
Of course they were delighted to be given this opening, as expressed by Svitlana, “It’s an amazing opportunity to practice with jewellery work, get more experience, understand what is needed for this kind of work and business, it’s an amazing workplace, and I love it. It’s like my life now and only what I have, I’m there all day, six days a week, trying to learn how to make sales, to show people what I can do. It’s our chance to really make art, beautiful and accurate and with really good quality jewellery which makes people happy. People who want to wear unique jewellery which they cannot find anywhere else.”
This is just part of a longer plan by the LEO, to support emerging artists and designers, as explained by LEO Waterford business advisor Jamie Whitty, “Following much planning with the team at VTOS we were in a position to offer two spaces this summer to 1st year students and in September we’ll be offering two students who have completed year 1 and year 2 of the course a place in Kite for a full year (September ‘24 to August ‘25). This will give the more mature students a real opportunity to learn the practical elements of their trade.”
Tetiana is enjoying the variety of aspects to the work placement, “At the beginning of my craft I focused on jewellery made from different beads, then in 2014 I started working using the electroforming technique. Now I plan to practice my jewellery skills and am especially interested in working with enamel. What I find great is the placement also provides us with exposure to a retail environment and the opportunity to meet and engage with their customers. This is invaluable experience for any of us who aspire to running our own business in the future.”
The VTOS two-year craft skills ‘Creative Craft QQI 5M1981 Award’ develops the learner’s art, craft and design skills. Jewellery making with silver, copper and enamelling; stained and fused glass; woodcraft skills and ceramics are also taught to a high standard as well as painting and drawing. Students learn to stage and host an exhibition (include picture framing) in the Waterford City and County Central Library and to prepare art portfolios for third level in the second year of the programme.
Kite Design Studios is a group of self-employed designers and producers based in Waterford City. The designers work from their own workshops and/or the Kite Design Studios. The emphasis is on high quality craftsmanship with a strong design element. The design studio is open six day a week and visitors have the unique opportunity to experience craft makers developing their design live in their own workshops.
Local Enterprise Office Waterford is here to help you start a business, expand an existing business or reach new markets. It provides advice, information and supports in starting up or growing your business as part of a network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland.
Contact your Local Enterprise Office Waterford for information about its programs and grants, on www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie for access to all its training support information.