Bluecoat Display Centre Selling Exhibition April 2023
Open call with Bluecoat Display Centre in Liverpool for a new selling exhibition, in April 2023. This is an exclusive open call for ACJ members, and up to 15 jewellers will be selected.
You'll notice that the timeframe to make and design is quicker than we would usually work with. This is to take advantage of the exhibition coinciding with The Eurovision Song Contest being hosted by the City of Liverpool in May 2023. Liverpool is planning a programme of cultural events and we hope that this platform will bring contemporary jewellery to new audiences as well create opportunities to sell work.
Our brief responds to the global contest's themes of music, unity, acceptance, and diversity. We hope that the broad scope of starting points will appeal to everyone.
Submissions can be designs/final pieces or a combination of both. Please read through the brief carefully to see what you need to submit and the deadlines involved at each stage.
The deadline for submissions is 6th February 2023 at midnight.
If you have any questions that are not covered in the brief and application from, please get in touch with Joanne Haywood at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Online Panel Discussions in Partnership with Goldsmith's Centre
As part of our Meanings and Messages programme, we have two online panel discussions coming up – in partnerships with The Goldsmiths' Centre. Each one is chaired by one of our catalogue essay writers, covering themes of "Social justice and societal change" and "Our beautiful planet." There will be a opportunity to hear from jewellers in the exhibition as well as ask questions and join in the discussion.
You can find out more and book here:
Sustainability as subject and material in jewellery making 23 Feb 2023, 6:00-7:15PM
There is a pay-what-you-can payment structure, with free tickets available, as well as a small fee for those who would like to donate. We hope you can join us!
Mark Fenn Award 2022
Congratulations to the 2022 Mark Fenn Award Winner, Lucy Pearl Petts.
Image: Lucy Pearl Petts
Meanings & Messages touring exhibition
To celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, the ACJ is organising a major show of excellence, touring several venues throughout the UK in 2022. The exhibition is titled Meanings & Messages.
The exhibition will showcase an exciting and varied collection of up to 50 unique brooches portraying a range of meanings and messages.
ACJ 2022 conference: Beyond Silver
The ACJ held it's 25th anniversary conference Beyond Silver: 25 Years of the ACJ on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1, 2, 3 July 2022 at Exeter University.
This conference was supported by the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
You can read the Conference Report HERE.
Meanings & Messages - colouring & design sheets
For our younger visitors attending the Meanings and Messages touring exhibition, we have created three colouring and design sheets.
Image: Young visitors enjoying the colouring and design sheets at the St George’s Arts Centre in Gravesend
2022 ACJ College Prize winners
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 ACJ College Prize scheme so far.
Congratulations!
Image: Rebecca Boyle, DJCAD, University of Dundee, Oxidised Lino printing rings
Meanings & Messages touring exhibition - launches in Kent
Meanings and Messages, the major touring exhibition celebrating our 25th anniversary year, opened its doors at our first venue, St George’s Arts Centre in Gravesend, Kent, on the 30th April.
Image: ACJ Chair Terry Hunt, giving the opening talk and tour of the exhibition with strung labels written by visitors in the foreground
Ship & Shore Artists Residency
As part of our 25th anniversary season of events and the major touring exhibition Meanings and Messages, we have an artist in residency opportunity, that is exclusive to ACJ Members!
Letter to all ACJ members
In the wake of the most recent instances of racist attacks and police brutality both in the US and here in the UK and the resultant global civil rights movement, the jewellery industry is examining diversity and the systemic challenges facing jewellers of BAME backgrounds and black jewellers in particular.
The Board is discussing ways the ACJ can help to drive change in this respect and the ways in which we can be more proactive in our approach. As we are a membership organisation first and foremost, in addition to our discussions with other industry professionals and organisations, we are turning to you our members to seek guidance and support in our work.
Goldsmiths' Company Kassandra Lauren Gordon Fund
The new Kassandra Lauren Gordon Fund for Black Jewellers is now closed for applications, but read more about it here.
Lockdown & ACJ Challenges
During the lockdown, ACJ kept members updated with industry news, and set weekly challenges to make jewellery, with an amazing array of responses.
See the collection of articles, and the resulting jewellery here