OCAD U is among five post-secondary institutions selected - and the only university in Canada - to receive the Mejuri Design Excellence Award of US$10,000 to support students focused on jewelry design.
The remaining four institutions are the Rhode Island School of Design and Savannah College of Art and Design in the United States, Vancouver Community College and Central Saint Martins in the United Kingdom.
With this funding, OCAD U is establishing two bursaries of US$5,000 to be awarded this fall to two fourth-year students in the Material Art and Design program who are studying jewelry design.
"OCAD U's Material Art and Design Jewellery Department is thrilled to be working with Mejuri on these bursaries for students. We are both committed to empowering and supporting the next generation of jewellers," says Associate Professor Robert Mitchell, Chair of the Material Art and Design program at OCAD U.
"We are so happy to be working with a company that is so passionate about giving back and uplifting others. We are looking forward to working together for many years to come," he says.
Mejuri is also offering mentorship opportunities, and the two bursary recipients will be given the chance to display their work in its two Toronto retail locations.
"I am excited to join forces with these schools to support the next generation of designers," says Noura Sakkijha, CEO and co-founder of Mejuri., a Toronto-based jewelry brand that is popular among actresses and celebrities including Sydney Sweeney, Selema Gomez and Bella Hadid.
"In a time where funding in this space is lacking, it's essential that we provide these students with the mentorship and opportunities they deserve. Together, we can help cultivate their potential and ensure that the design landscape continues to thrive," says Sakkijha.
Mejuri staff will also be engaging with students to provide insight into the jewelry industry, sourcing ethical and sustainable materials and other relevant topics. Merjuri's work centres on four main areas of sustainability: people, planet, product and philanthropy.
About the Material Art and Design program
The program allows students to learn how to create jewelry, textiles and ceramics as a professional studio artist or designer. Students chose to focus on textiles or jewelry/metalsmithing and can take electives in ceramics, wearable form and wearable technology.
Students who focus on jewelry and metalsmithing create their own fine jewelry and sculptures with metals and other materials. They learn to use traditional methods of fabrication and casting alongside computer-aided design and manufacturing.
In the University's Jewelry Studio, students obtain hands-on skills to explore media and practices of jewelry and metalsmithing where they undertake processes that include metal casting in bronze and silver, metal fabrication in silver, copper, brass and nickel as well as 3D printing in castable wax resin.
Jewelry grads thriving
Mitchell says there are several Material Art and Design Jewelry alums who are thriving, including Won Jung Kim who graduated in 2017 and founded the company, Won Astre Jewellery.
The company's website states that Kim wants her work to resemble superhero uniforms strengthening the wearer's abilities and representing their true identity. In fact at the 2022 Governors Awards, Janet Yang, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, wore the gold Warrior of Light bracelet designed by Won Astre Jewellery.
Theresa Duong graduated in 2012 and founded the fine jewelry company, Theresa Duong Arts. Duong uses gold and sterling silver, diamonds and gemstones to design and create jewelry, including customized engagement rings and wedding bands, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
She has exhibited widely, including at Toronto's One of a Kind winter shows in 2018 and 2019, the spring show in 2019 as well as at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair in 2019. She won the Best Booth Winner at the 2018 One of a Kind winter show.
"Fine jewelry becomes part of your life story you remember where you wore it, or who gave it to you. It reminds you of a shared past and becomes part of the stories you tell in the future," according to Duong's website.
Another alum Pilar Agueci, who graduated in 2006, continued her studies with an Artistic Residency in Jewelry and Silversmithing Department of the Glasgow School of Art. During her time in Europe, Agueci developed her production skills, started her career as an educator and furthered her practice with workshops, studying at the renowned Alchimia Contemporary Jewelry School in Holland with jewelry artist Ruudt Peters.
On her return to Canada, she worked with contemporary jeweler Janis Kerman further honing her technical skills, before launching her own line and opening her flagship boutique in Montreal in 2017.
