School of Jewelry Arts: il decimo anniversario
L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, School of Jewelry Arts was born in 2012 in Paris, with the support of Maison Van Cleef & Arpels. A world of poetry in which the jewel is the protagonist and is deprived of all its secrets: the school takes care of spreading education on the most sought-after techniques of jewelry-making, gemology, history of jewelry through every era and culture, and it is addressed to a wide and international audience.
Transmission, sharing and curiosity: these are the values of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. Therefore, through many different activities such as online and face-to-face courses, conferences, travel, exhibitions and publications, the school has been passing down for ten years the most precious of treasures, culture. There are no age limits to fall in love with beauty: the workshops for children introduce the marvelous jewelry world even to very young spectators, children from 6 years of age.
Both historical jewels and contemporary creations inspired by the most innovative trends are presented to students through an open approach to diversity and experimentation. In fact, creativity doesn’t know barriers and there are no preconceptions about jewelry. This is the philosophy of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. “Discover, learn, wonder!”
The pedagogical approach of the teachers – high skilled professionals – is historical, scientific and practical at the same time. For example, art history classes are based on the practical study of unique historical pieces from L’ÉCOLE collections, and gemology is taught by observing real stones and using the professional tools of the gemologist. Everything is enhanced by an aura of charm and beauty that only the jewelry world can convey.
The permanent campuses of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts are in Paris – in the historic residence in Place Vendôme in Rue Danielle Casanova 31, the perfect representation of the French artistic tradition – and in Hong Kong. However, the call of culture aims to expand more and more around the world, to reach the widest possible audience. Precisely because of this, 2022 – the year of the 10th anniversary – will be marked by several initiatives of various kinds, such as new teachings, new exhibitions, new stages around the world.
Among the most interesting news scheduled for the next year, the third permanent campus in Shanghai, and the publication of Dictionary of Jewelers and Goldsmiths in France, from 1850 to the present. This work, written in French (already pre-orderable), retraces the history of French jewelry from the second half of the XIX century to the present day, through the names of the greatest artists. Around 40,000 jewellers, silversmiths, goldsmiths, designers and other experts are mentioned in the book.
This rich program is driven by the intellectual and emotional generosity which has always distinguished Van Cleef & Arpels and by the desire to pass down and spread knowledge and beauty. This will represents the mission of the school. Because if there is a treasure that at all costs must be protected, it is culture.
