“Wrexham University transformed me into an artist”, says successful silversmith

Date: Monday, October 28, 2024

An Art graduate has spoken of how life-changing university was for him – and how it put him in good stead for his new role as an artist in residence at a prestigious centre dedicated to the training of young people in the craft of silversmithing.

Jamie Watson graduated from Wrexham University last year, after studying his degree in Applied Arts. 

In recent weeks, he has been announced as one of the Bishopsland Educational Trust’s artists in residence, after a successful year-long residency at the Trust, where he was given the opportunity to hone his craft as a silversmith and work on a number of projects, including an exhibition at Cutlers’ Hall, a pop up exhibition at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London and the Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair.

Jamie, who is originally from Doncaster, said it was while he was studying at the University’s School of Art, where his passion for art was ignited.     

He said: “My time at university was completely life-changing for me. Before university I never considered myself to be an artist but Wrexham University transformed me into one. It gave me a solid foundation and helped me develop my artistic side.

“My practical skills were already there – prior to university, I’d had an extremely varied path. One of my previous jobs was building children’s soft play equipment – and I’d also been an outdoor activities instructor. However, I’d never really explored any artistic ventures.

“So, when my partner enrolled onto the University’s Applied Arts course back in 2019, I remember feeling excited by what she had told me about what was available to her as a student – particularly that there was a forge within the workshop, as I’d always wanted to try blacksmithing.”

It was in 2020 when Jamie started his degree, that he discovered his talent for silversmithing.

“I felt incredibly fortunate that the degree programme was led by such supportive and skilled lecturers, who not only encouraged me but also opened my eyes to the fact that I could make a career out of doing something I really enjoyed,” he said.

While in the final year of his degree, Jamie was encouraged to apply for a residency at Bishopsland.

He said: “To be encouraged to apply for – and then successfully gain a place on the residency was just incredible – and my learning and growth since starting at Bishopsland has been enormous.

“I’ve really developed my craft as a silversmith and feel hugely proud to be the Trust’s current artist in residence. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for studying at Wrexham.”

Julie Mellor, Applied Arts Lecturer at Wrexham University, added: “It fills me with an immense sense of pride that each and every year at Wrexham University School of Art, we continue to develop an enormously talented group of students, who go on to achieve great things and work hard to hone their craft and artistic style – Jamie is another wonderful example of this.

“A huge congratulations to Jamie for not only his successful year-long residency at Bishopsland but now also the fact that he is their current artist in residence. That’s a major coup and just the very beginning of exciting things to come for Jamie.”