A year of events to celebrate 25 years supporting silversmiths

Contemporary British Silversmiths was launched in 1996 by a core group of makers determined to give a voice to a new generation of silversmiths, rich in diverse talents with a wealth of exciting new ideas. Encouraging innovative thinking and re-affirming a shared commitment to excellence in design and workmanship have been our flagship values.

Over the past decade our many exhibitions have travelled throughout the UK, and to Holland, Germany, Denmark, Taipei, USA and most recently Finland. These exhibitions and events showcase members' work and provide makers with the opportunity and environment in which to explore and develop fresh ideas.

During our 25 anniversary year, we will be celebrating 25 years of supporting silversmiths, highlighting the work of our members and looking behind the scenes at some of the people that have made the association what it is today.

Find out more about how our association developed and our Chairs:

CONTEMPORARY BRITISH SILVERSMITHS: CELEBRATING SILVER SYMPOSIUM
4-5 September 2021 - De Montfort University

The symposium will be an opportunity to consider current silversmithing practice within the wider craft and design, museum and gallery, and collecting/commissioning sectors. The aim is to present a wide variety of topics relevant to makers’ practices and to support thinking and creative ambition. In addition, it aims to develop delegates’ knowledge of different approaches to the understanding of silver and fine metalwork through the experiences of makers, curators, critics, and sector partners.

The two days will include a full day of speakers, discussion panels and breakout sessions, a pop-up exhibition of maker’s current work (Show & Tell), an evening dinner and networking opportunities, the AGM, an insight to CBS Skills Training Programme for makers and practical silversmithing demonstrations for families and the general public.

The symposium is generously supported by The Goldsmiths' Centre and presented in partnership with De Montfort University

Registration: £10

Registration CBS Members: Free

Evening Dinner: £35

Accommodation [Halls]: £25

We look forward to seeing you there in-person or virtually:
In person attendance booking deadline: 23 August 2021
Virtual attendance booking deadline: 2 September 2021

BOOKING LINK

COVID Safety Information - Symposium & Accommodation

SYMPOSIUM:

The main symposium will take place in a large lecture theatre with enough space to leave a seating gap between each delegate.

The breakout sessions will take place in three separate rooms so the group sizes will be smaller and seating will be spaced out.

Lunch and refreshments will be served in a well-ventilated room with access to our outdoor roof top seating area.

The gala dinner will take place in a large open gallery space and the seating will be spaced out for social distancing.

De Montfort University have in place the following COVID safety measures:

Enhanced levels of cleaning.
There are ‘please keep a safe distance’ signs around the building.
‘Please use a face covering when indoors’ (CBS will provide face masks on arrival)

(TO NOTE: Wearing of face coverings can only be strongly recommended, rather than enforced)

Hand sanitation stations are available in multiple person access areas.
Ventilation changes have been made to increase fresh air flow through the rooms.
The maximum social distancing distance across the whole campus will be 1m.
We recommend that all attendees download the NHS Track & Trace app.
Please ensure that if you feel unwell with common COVID-19 symptoms such as a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, that you self-isolate and follow government guidance which is available from the NHS website.
The exhibits will have ‘do not touch’ signage to prevent public/ visitors touching items on display during the event.
The silversmithing demonstrations will be taking place outdoors.

ACCOMMODATION: NEW WHARF HALL

Prior to your arrival

Prior to your arrival thorough cleaning will have taken place with cleaning of reception areas, common rooms, corridors and laundry rooms.

Hand sanitisers have been installed at the entrance/exit points.

During your stay

Cleaning

Cleaning will be maintained throughout, including detailed cleaning of all access readers, touchpoints, rails and handles.

Domestic assistants will clean your showers, w.c’s and kitchen areas throughout your stay. (This only applies if your stay is during the week. Domestic staff do not work at weekends)

In the kitchen areas you will find sanitiser and blue kitchen roll for your use

In the showers and w.c’s you will find sanitiser, please spray and leave for 30 seconds before and after use. Hand soap is provided in all w.c’s

Healthy hand hygiene

Masks, gloves and a 750ml sanitiser will be provided in all bedrooms

Please use the sanitisers on entrance and exit of the building and ensure you practice healthy hand hygiene regularly – wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use sanitiser.

PROGRAMME

(subject to change due to COVID-19):

SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

Morning:

Start Time: 10am

Keynote Speaker (to be announced)

Rachael Colley: Exploring making and materials through socially based and experimental practice

Anastasia Young and Paul Wells: Using technical innovation to explore and extend creative practice

Panel discussion: The Collecting. Commissioning and development of audiences for contemporary silver and fine metal work. Panellists include Sarah Rothwell, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Design for National Museums Scotland; and Gregory Parsons, curator and producer

Afternoon:

Breakout sessions:

Research and practice: the importance of developing personal and professional research projects. With Juliette Bigley and Lionel Dean
Scaling up: addressing the opportunities of scale through commissioning and public art projects. With Barnaby Barford and Angela Cork
Cross-cultural influences and fertilisation. Chris Knight and Jessica Jue

American metalsmith and educator Myra Mimlitsch-Gray in conversation with Dr. Glenn Adamson discussing ‘the purposeful object’

Panel discussion: Looking to the past and the future – reflecting on 25 Years of Contemporary British Silversmiths and the changing landscape and opportunities for contemporary silver and looking to the future. With Past CBS Chairs Howard Fenn and Mary Ann Simmons and current Chair Rajesh Gogna in discussion and chaired by Rosy Greenlees, OBE, Executive Director of the Crafts Council.

Pop-up exhibition

6.30pm Gala Dinner

SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER

Morning:

Start Time: 11am

Contemporary British Silversmiths’ AGM

Afternoon:

Watch live demonstrations of silver and metalworking techniques

Learn more about the recent three-year Skills Training Programme

Improve your personal wellbeing as a silversmith

Ends: 4pm

Celebrating Silver

A year of events to celebrate 25 years supporting silversmiths

PROGRAMME