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Craftex 2019 – Glasgow’s students’ world class skills on display

Craftex 2019 opened with hundreds of entries from the very best of Glasgow’s

college students’ work.

The quality of work on display was higher than ever, with a huge variety of crafts represented from exquisite jewellery making to skilled stone masonry; contemporary new media to musical instruments that took over 1,000 hours each to create.

The Deacon Convener’s Design Prize was awarded to Geraldine McSporran of the City of Glasgow College, currently completing an HND in Art Glass Design. Geraldine’s stunning, abstract stained glass piece was created following the death of her mother earlier this year.

Geraldine said; “I wouldn’t normally class myself as an abstract artist, but that traumatic time in my life is definitely represented within it.”

Geraldine continued; “The work is not all about sadness however. The glass is

fused and painted with gold inclusions which has created a vibrant, luminous effect. Mum always wore bright colours and that’s how I want to remember her.”

Deacon Convener of the Trades House of Glasgow, Tom McInally, said: “The Craftex exhibition displays a huge range of skills, showcasing the incredible work of Glasgow’s college students. The city has a distinguished, world class reputation in trades and crafts, and the Glasgow colleges and students that uphold and develop this must be recognised and supported through initiatives like Craftex.”

The Craftex Gold Medal Winner was announced as Jolanta Mariola Wiankowska, currently completing an HND in Jewellery Design at the City of Glasgow College. Her incredible winning necklace combines silverwork and twisted, boiled leatherwork that took inspiration from the Drago Milano Tree in Tenerife.

Jolanta said; “I went back to college to do something that I really wanted to do after concentrating on being a mum for 13 years. I’m thrilled to win this award and my husband and son are very proud.”

Jolanta is originally from Poland but has lived in Easterhouse for 12 years.

Craftex is sponsored by Quilter Cheviot, Investment Managers. Their Award for Excellence and Innovation was presented to Scott Grier, also from the City of Glasgow College, who created a beautifully crafted oak bench with intricate carvings and a top that opens to reveal a useful storage area.

Scott is finishing his HND this term, having previously worked with the Princes Trust on Building Heritage Maintenance and Repair for a year.

Craftex is part of the first Trades House Education Festival, which brings all its educational events and awards under one banner. It is a unique initiative in the City, and one which Trades House hopes will help to motivate, inspire and reward those in education, from primary school children to students and modern apprentices.

The events run predominately over two weeks and includes initiatives such as the Trades House of Glasgow Modern Apprentice Awards, the Glasgow School Craft Awards and Determined to Make Movies.