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H A N D S H A K E 

The HANDSHAKE Project has been supporting emerging New Zealand artists in developing their art jewellery skills since 2011. This specialized programme is designed to offer a unique development, mentoring, and exhibition platform for New Zealand jewellery artists. Unlike traditional art education, the HANDSHAKE Project allows the artist mentee to choose their mentor who will work with them by providing feedback and support in exploring ideas and developing exhibition-ready artwork.

The HANDSHAKE Project has so far supported over 60 New Zealand artists, and it continues to offer high-profile curated national and international exhibition opportunities. The project aims to connect mentees with collectors, curators, experts, and writers, and it provides opportunities for mentees to become mentors themselves. The project also offers collaborations and networking opportunities.

The HANDSHAKE Project is a progressive programme that enables New Zealand artists to participate in other professional events such as the Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial, as well as high-level gallery and museum exhibitions.

The progress and diversity of all the HANDSHAKE projects are archived on the project’s website (handshakeproject.com) where you can find all the projects, people involved, blog posts, exhibitions, publications, and catalogues.

The HANDSHAKE project is an effective pathway for emerging NZ artists to develop creative skills that build upon a serious art practice. It includes mentoring feedback and professional development like masterclasses from renowned international artists, theory lectures, and an extensive exhibition programme.

 

  HANDSHAKE 3 in collaboration with Dialogue Collective, Munich 2017

The programme incorporates collaborations and many networking opportunities. This multifaceted project gives its artists progressive chances for noticeable introductions to an informed appreciative art market.

The series of exhibitions for each project are purpose-made to accelerate the progression of each maker’s practice. Therefore, no HANDSHAKE exhibition looks the same.

Each project is recorded and reflected on the HANDSHAKE website (handshakeproject.com) which also includes current and past developments and their outcomes. Blog posts posted during the developmental stages, documented exhibitions, publications, and exhibition catalogues form together a solid archival package that can be shared around the world.

The HANDSHAKE project has been since 2011 the core activity of the art organisation MAKERS 101.

The project began in February 2011 and was created by Wellington-based jewellery sparkplug, artist, curator, writer, and educator Peter Deckers. The idea was born out of recognition of the need for ongoing support for talented New Zealand graduates after completing their jewellery art studies.

The HANDSHAKE project could only succeed thanks to the continued funding of Creative New Zealand, support from individuals, MAKERS 101, JEMbooks, and all others involved. 

Mia Straka, participant and advisor of the HandShake project. introduces HS’s multifaceted qualities and perspectives

“The HANDSHAKE project and subsequent exhibition structure will provide an opportunity for conversation and the realisation of new ideas. It will allow the work to be on its own terms; not restricted as is sometimes the case in certain gallery situations or exhibition formats. It will be a space to open up, research, push, and reflect; a space to consolidate; all under the framework of a specialist mentor and through a planned structure for development. This is an exciting construct. This sounds like a place I want to build from, a house I want to work on, live in; a neighbourhood I want to engage with, grow ‘veges’ with and invite people over for cups of tea.” –Renee Bevan, 2014-

With so many good makers around the globe, and technology that allows you instant access to everyone and everything they do, we now have the benefit of choice … For the first time in history the continuing ‘student’ is not prey to the random local educationalists, but is connected with somebody within electronic reach, who has similar or complementary interests and shares their love for object-making.

HS1 crowdfunding 60-sec video

 

 

 

Listen to the ‘Standing Room’ interview between mentee Amelia Pascoe and mentor Ruudt Peters.

OVERVIEW of all past, present, and future HANDSHAKE projects. 

 
Meet The TEAM

HANDSHAKE organisation: MAKERS 101 LTDPeter Deckers (HS founder and -artistic director) & Hilda Gascard (HS coordinator and -administrator)

HANDSHAKE advisory (2019-2022): Andrea Daly,  Renee Bevan, and Mia Straka

HANDSHAKE International Strategic Advisor (2019-2022): Liesbeth den Besten

HANDSHAKE Legal Advisor (2019-2022): Garth O’Brien

JEMbooks publishingPeter Deckers and Hilda Gascard in association with Becky Bliss

HANDSHAKE supports emerging New Zealand jewellery artists, allowing them to develop ideas and artworks for a succession of exhibitions with the assistance of masterclasses and a chosen mentor.

Additional opportunities include coaching sessions, alumni and curated exhibitions, collaborations, and network opportunities with both national and international exposure. The progressive nature of the programme aims to develop independent makers with innovative and energetic art practices.

Mia Straka, participant and advisor of the HandShake project. introduces the project’s multifaceted qualities and perspectives

H A N D S H A K E 

is a space where established artists hand over some of their quality knowledge to those asking for a ‘hand’; it is a two-way project that encourages symbiosis and GIVE & TAKE.

HS is a professionally supported mentoring scheme for selected emerging NZ contemporary jewellery MAKERS, linked to an exhibition programme and professional development, communicated through an active website.

The HANDSHAKE project is an effective pathway for artists to develop creative skills that build upon a serious art practice. It includes mentoring feedback and professional development like masterclasses from renowned international artists and an extensive exhibition programme.

  Handshake 3 in collaboration with Dialogue Collective, Munich 2017

The programme incorporates collaborations and many networking opportunities. This multifaceted project gives its artists progressive chances for noticeable introductions to an informed appreciative market.

The series of exhibitions for each project are purpose-made to accelerate the progression of each maker’s practice. Therefore, no HANDSHAKE exhibition looks the same.

Each project is recorded and reflected on the HANDSHAKE website (handshakeproject.com) which also includes current and past developments and their outcomes. Blog posts posted during the developmental stages, documented exhibitions, publications, and exhibition catalogues form together a solid archival package that can be shared around the world.

The HANDSHAKE project has been since 2011 the core activity of the art organisation MAKERS 101.

The project began in February 2011 and was created by Wellington-based jewellery sparkplug, artist, curator, writer, and educator Peter Deckers. The idea was born out of recognition of the need for ongoing support for talented New Zealand graduates after completing their jewellery art studies.

The HANDSHAKE project could only succeed thanks to the continued funding of Creative New Zealand, support from individuals, Makers 101, JEMbooks, and all others involved. 

 

 

View this short  Pledge Me video from the HS1 project.

View Jessica Winchcombe talking about the background of the very first HS1 exhibition in Sydney (2011).

Listen to the ‘Standing Room’ interview between mentee Amelia Pascoe and mentor Ruudt Peters.

OVERVIEW of all past, present, and future HANDSHAKE projects. 

“The HANDSHAKE project and subsequent exhibition structure will provide an opportunity for conversation and the realisation of new ideas. It will allow the work to be on its own terms; not restricted as is sometimes the case in certain gallery situations or exhibition formats. It will be a space to open up, research, push, and reflect; a space to consolidate; all under the framework of a specialist mentor and through a planned structure for development. This is an exciting construct. This sounds like a place I want to build from, a house I want to work on, live in; a neighbourhood I want to engage with, grow ‘veges’ with and invite people over for cups of tea.” –Renee Bevan, 2014-

With so many good makers around the globe, and technology that allows you instant access to everyone and everything they do, we now have the benefit of choice … For the first time in history the continuing ‘student’ is not prey to the random local educationalists, but is connected with somebody within electronic reach, who has similar or complementary interests and shares their love for object-making.

 

HANDSHAKE is funded by CNZ and organised by Makers 101

 

HANDSHAKE is funded by CNZ and organised by Makers 101

 

HANDSHAKE is funded by CNZ and organised by Makers 101

 

HANDSHAKE is funded by CNZ and organised by Makers 101