M101 organises art development projects and professional opportunities for the wider NZ jewellery sector. Their primary focus is the organisation and coordination of the HANDSHAKE PROJECT and since 2022 the AOTEAROA JEWELLERY Triennial.

 

The HANDSHAKE project began in February 2011 and is the brainchild of Wellington-based artist, curator, 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.

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, 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.

With so many good makers around the globe and technologies that allow instant access to everyone and everything, we now have the benefit of choice. For the first time in history the continuing ‘student’ is not prey to the random local educationalists and experts, but can be connected within electronic reach with an expert colleague, who has similar or complementary interests, and equality shares their passion for object-making.

 

MAKERS 101 goal is to generate and organise creative opportunities for NZ artists.

HANDSHAKE is a mentoring and exhibition project unique to existing art education. It is a space where internationally renowned artists within reach hand over some of their quality knowledge to those asking for a ‘hand’. It is a two-way project that encourages symbiosis and a ‘give and take’.

Unlike the traditional apprentice model, the mentor works for the mentee by providing feedback and support in the exploration of ideas and the development of exhibition-ready artwork. The progression and diversities of all the HS projects are archived on the HANDSHAKE Project website (handshakeproject.com). All the projects, people involved, blog posts, exhibitions, publications and catalogues can be found on the HS website pages.

The combination of masterclasses, cumulative exhibition opportunities, support from each other, mentors, the website, the network opportunities, and  M101 continued support of each HS artist in developing their unique artistic interest and place.

The differences between HS and other development organisations are that HS operates from the bottom up, while others operate from the top down.

 

The ultimate goal of the HandShake Project is to create independent leaders beyond dependency.

HS assisted over 12 years, sixty emerging NZ artists in the acceleration of their jewellery art practice.

To continue supporting the HS alumni and the wider jewellery sector, M101 organises opportunities for high-profile curated exhibitions through their Alumni Exhibition programme and the Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial.

 

MAKERS and HANDSHAKE could only succeed thanks to the funding of Creative New Zealand, and all others involved.

M101 staff
– Peter Deckers, Creative Director
– Hilda Gascard, Project Manager