Bishopsland Educational Trust

Bishopsland is a post-graduate training workshops for silversmiths and jewellers. It was founded in 1993. Members spend one year living and working at the workshops before setting up on their own in pursuit of a professional career.

Approximately 150 graduates have passed through Bishopsland since it began in 1993. Most have established their own business, either designing and making in their own workshop, or managing their own gallery or designing for the retail sector. Forty have gone on to take an MA degree, thirty one at the RCA.

The Bishopsland Contemporary Apprenticeship acts as a bridge between college and the realities of the commercial world. Bishopsland enables craftsmen to polish their skills, to make contacts and to understand the principles of marketing.

Bishopsland works on a tutorial system, teaching specialist skills to the highest standard. It lays great emphasis on marketing and professional practice.

Both current and past members take part in important national exhibitions, including ‘Contemporary Silver: The Bishopsland Fellowship’ at the V& A, London and the Dovecot Gallery, Edinburgh as well as regularly taking a stand at Collect at the Saatchi Gallery, London. Networking and introductions to galleries are an important part of the course as are crucial commercial skills such as pricing, display, book-keeping and presentation.