The European General Assembly of the World Crafts Council held in Finland in June 2006, accepted the suggestion made by Joseph Attard, the delegate of the Malta Crafts Council, to organise a filigree workshop for craftspeople on the island of Gozo. These two councils are now collaborating with the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts in the organisation of a three-day seminar/workshop for local and foreign craftspeople.
The seminar, which runs until today, will be focusing on “Filigree – tradition and modern interpretation” and shall be dealing with the use of silver in filigree works particularly in the manufacture of traditional and modern jewellery. The seminar/workshop is being held at the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts in Ghajnsielem.
Speaking at the inauguration of this seminar/workshop, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono referred to the importance of the manufacturing of local crafts in the island’s economy and the support that the government is providing for this sector in order for it to foster. Minister Debono spoke about the ministry’s investment in an intensive project which saw the construction of an extension to the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts together with the provision of new equipment in order for it to be able to offer more modern hands-on training.
Local and foreign participants participated in this seminar/workshop which was introduced by Anthony V. Degiovanni – Director for Further Studies and Adult Education, himself an artist. Thorkild Thogersen, a Danish goldsmith and designer was brought over to Gozo by the World Crafts Council, while Mr George Farrugia, a teacher at the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts also participated. Activities in this programme also include an exhibition at the Banca Giuratale in Victoria, which runs until Thursday. This exhibition displays filigree works produced by students at the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts together with other works by Mr Thogersen and other foreign participants in the seminar.
Meanwhile the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts will be organising its annual exhibition at the Exhibition Hall of the Ministry for Gozo. Artefacts created by students attending the different courses at the centre during the last scholastic year will be put on display for viewing by the general public. The exhibition will run between today and 16 June.