ACJ).

The exhibition celebrates Manchester’s unique network of contemporary jewellery designer/makers and the city’s outstanding architecture, (old and new) and encompassing the regeneration development boom that is currently changing the face of Manchester. Generously funded by the Arts Council England.

The jewellery created for the exhibition incorporates themes and aesthetics taken directly from existing buildings, forms or structures in Manchester, and will help inspire new concepts in building and jewellery design.

Our intention is to promote Manchester by highlighting the City’s unique characteristics, architecture and people, including the Manchester Jewellers Network and raise all parties to a higher platform of national and international appreciation.

The actual exhibition started at URBIS from June 16th - July 9th 2006 and will go on to Renew Rooms RIBA NW Gallery in Liverpool from 18th July - 11th August, we plan to tour both nationally and internationally. Now the exhibition is travelling onto the USA. Architectonics will be shown at Velvet De Vinci in San Francisco from 5th September - 7 October 2007.

Our original venue URBIS, designed by Manchester’s Ian Simpson Architects, has become a significant symbol of the regeneration of Manchester City Centre after the IRA bomb that exploded on June 15th 1996 – 10 years ago. The exhibition is also timed to celebrate Architecture Week’s 2006 theme – ‘The Power of Ten’, celebrating 10 years of Architecture Week. And so, our ten pieces of inspiring jewellery include:

Martin Rees: Gateway Transport Interchange

Tara Kirkpatrick: B of the Bang

Colette Hazelwood: Manchester Guardian 
Underground  Tunnels

Eddie Grundy: Manchester Town Hall

Toby Cotterill: Castlefield Railway Viaduct

Samantha Mills: Daily Express Building

Lisa Thornton: City of Manchester Stadium

Rachel Hearne: The Lowry Centre

Melissa Hansom: Manchester Royal Exchange

Heather Skowood:  Strangeways Prison

about the manchester jewellers network...

In 2002 The Manchester Jewellers Network (MJN) was formed in response to the need of a network that would support the many talented and dedicated jewellery designer - makers in Greater Manchester.

The network is comprised of emerging and professional jewellers who meet monthly to lend mutual support and organise events in Manchester that will promote the field of contemporary jewellery. Through these events MJN develop the profiles of designer - makers in the region and raise awareness of handmade work currently available to commission and purchase.

In 2003 MJN became a Regional Group of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery (ACJ), confirming their commitment to promote exciting and innovative contemporary jewellery and encouraging an opportunity for designers to promote work in a broad range of material such as gold, silver, rubber, Perspex, plastic, nylon, resin and wood.

The network aims to exhibit in outlets that are accessible to culturally diverse audiences and that open up new venues for the display of their work both nationally and internationally.

Architectonics: Foundations in Jewellery is the groups’ third non-commercial exhibition. Since its conception the network has presented six exhibitions:

1- Ice, Christmas 2003 at Habitat
2- Be Mine, Valentines 2004 at Habitat
3- Ring, summer 2004 at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, touring in 2005 at Alea Gallery, Barcelona, Spain; Platform Gallery, Clitheroe
4- The Twelve Days of Christmas, Christmas 2004 at Manchester Royal Exchange.
5- Limited Edition, summer 2005 at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, touring in 2006 at Atkinson Gallery, Southport; Golddigger 79, Belfast
6- Desirable, Christmas 2005 at the Manchester Royal Exchange.

For more detailed information on the Manchester Jewellers Network click here or visit www.manchesterjewellersnetwork.co.uk