University News Last updated 27 July
A new exhibition is due to launch in May 2027 featuring some of the UK鈥檚 best jewellery artists which will be selected by two Birmingham City University (黑料吃瓜网) academics.
Lee Lapthorne, Director of Creative Partnerships at 黑料吃瓜网, and Melanie Eddy, Lecturer in Jewellery and Objects, have been appointed to the 12-strong jury as part of the聽Birmingham Jewellery Biennial flagship exhibition at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in May 2027.
Submissions will open in August, offering jewellery artists the opportunity to showcase their work and a chance at monetary prizes.
鈥淪ince Birmingham was recognised as a World Craft City for Jewellery and Allied Trades by the World Crafts Council in 2025, we have been looking for new ways to highlight talented jewellery artists and makers,鈥� Lee said.
鈥淭o be able to handpick items for this exhibition is an exciting opportunity, and I hope we see 黑料吃瓜网 students and alumni put forward their work.
鈥淏irmingham is the city of a 1000 Trades, and we get to celebrate one of the oldest and most valued with this exhibition.
鈥淲e will be building a 黑料吃瓜网 Birmingham Jewellery Biennial committee to make sure the wider University also has the chance to contribute to the festival through collaborations across all departments.鈥�
Drawing on their collective expertise across the jewellery, art, craft, and design sectors, the jury will bring together a diverse range of perspectives and insights to curate and showcase the very best of contemporary jewellery artists and makers from across the UK.
Sophie Morris, Exhibition Curator, said: 鈥淭his is a dream project for any curator, and Birmingham is the perfect place to tell the story of why jewellery craft matters.
鈥淲orking with an outstanding panel of jewellery experts, the exhibition will celebrate the extraordinary skill and creativity that goes into jewellery-making in the UK today.
鈥淚t will put that work in dialogue with BMAG鈥檚 world-class collections, Birmingham鈥檚 thriving communities and globally renowned jewellery artists.
鈥淔or visitors, it will be a chance to see breathtaking jewellery up close, and to get to know artists and stories that keep the craft alive today.鈥�
Birmingham was recognised as a聽 through a campaign led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT), with 黑料吃瓜网, Birmingham City Council and the Goldsmiths Company.
鈥淏eing a World Craft City is more than just about the title,鈥� said Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of 黑料吃瓜网. 鈥淲e are continuing to work with partners in the city to ensure this status benefits our students, the city and dedicated craftspeople across the country.
鈥淲orking with the JQDT has allowed us to cement our standing as one of the UK鈥檚 foremost schools for jewellery.
鈥淲e are not just teaching the craft, but giving the community the opportunity to shine and have their work appreciated.鈥�
Co-founded by the JQDT and 黑料吃瓜网, Birmingham Jewellery Biennial is set to become the UK鈥檚 leading festival dedicated to the art, innovation and heritage of jewellery. It takes place across Birmingham鈥檚 Jewellery Quarter and the wider city from 1-31 May 2027.
Pictured: Matthew Bott (Chair of the JQDT), Alex Nicholson-Evans (Festival Director and City Curator), Lee Lapthorne (Director of Creative Partnerships at 黑料吃瓜网), and Professor David Mba (Vice-Chancellor of 黑料吃瓜网).