LITHUANIAN JEWELLERY REPORT Justina Liaudanskyte “Neringa secretions”
Martynas Vaitiekunas „The roles“
creates medals, small plastics, and specializes in mold-
some bright and creative individuals and professionals
ing. A docent Vytautas Matulionis is a famous Lithuanian
of high artistic level. The members of Lithuanian Artists’
goldsmither and enamel painter. A docent Mindaugas
Union are Sarune Vaitkute and Dainius Narkus, Sandra
Simkevicius is a sculptor, who is interested in performance,
Malaskeviciute, Vita Pukstaite, Ugne Blazyte, Beata
art, and art of object in public places.
Zdramyte, Jurgita Erminaite Simkuviene, Egle Cejauskaite
Telsiai Faculty organizes experimental laboratories,
Gintale, Julius Vaitkus, Aurelija Simkutė Endrieke, Asta
creative practicum, projects, collaborate with artists from
Simkeviciene. Telsiai Faculty alumni Beata Zdramytė
Lithuanian and abroad. Over the past 3 years, an artist
and Mindaugas Simkevicius came back to teach, and
from Polish Giedymin Jablonski is actively working in the
they were awarded with the docent name at the Vilnius
Department of Metal Plastics. Together with students he
Academy of Art for their creativity and teaching. Egle
has already implemented projects of conceptual jewelry:
Tamošiunaite successfully established her studio at Vilnius
European Identity, Happy End, Systems of Values,
Old town, Neringa Poskute and Ausra Vindzigelskyte
Dolce et decorum.
Maciulaitiene opened their gallery-workshop in the Old
Vilnius Academy of Arts participates in the interna-
town of Klaipėda. Albinas Jukumas, Mindaugas Bumblys,
tional student exchange program Erasmus, and has a con-
Andrius Janulis, Kestutis Tikuzis established their forges.
tract with a number of European universities. Some of the
Jurgita Ciutaite Bugailiskiene actively worked at Anyksciai
students have been gone to study in Estonian Academy of
municipality: organized and implemented national and
Arts (Estonia), Tartu Art College (Estonia), Escola Massana
international projects, and now she is starting to create
(Spain), University College of Arts, Crafts and Design
again. Several work on the Lithuanian Mint.
(Konstfack) (Sweden), Edinburg College of Arts (Great
A number of students were forced from their home-
Britain).
land due to economic situation. However, those, who feel
The highest aim of the studies is the final thesis, and
a strong call to create, find their place abroad. Although,
fourth year students are already matured for it. Graduates
it is not easy. For example, Mante Maskoliunaite and
may pursue individual creativity: artistic jewelry and black-
Ausra Bankauskaite earned their recognition in New York
smithing, small-form sculpture, creating medals, and ac-
as a jewelry artists, Inesa Grigaite successfully works in
tivities in other fields of art and design. In case students
one of the jewelry companies in Norway.
have a lack of material basis and experience, some young
Art of metal and jewelry is a unique undergraduate
specialists are employed by jewelry, amber, metal process-
program. Many graduates, who want to work and im-
ing companies. Those, who have opportunities and am-
prove as a metal artists and jewelers, can create works of
bitions, establish their own workshops. The employment
contemporary jewelry, small, architectural metal plastic,
of graduates depends on personal qualities and interests.
work as craftsmen, at the manufacturers’ companies, res-
On the other hand, it depends on employers’ openness to
toration workshop, cultural and educational institutions,
employ and develop a young professional.
participate in the contemporary art projects in Lithuania
Fates of graduates, who live in Lithuania, are very
and abroad. Each year, companies contact Telsiai Faculty and request for the artists of rare profession.
different. Some of them work quietly. There are also
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