Contact: Cindy Edelstein
914-738-8485
Theresa Kwong Wins Second Future of Design Education Fund Scholarship
to the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
PELHAM, NY: For the second year the Future of Design Jewelry Education Fund has teamed up with the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and designer Alice Abrams to offer a young jewelry designer the chance to learn new skills at the Revere Academy.
This year’s winner is Theresa Kwong who originally received her bachelor of arts degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. A career change brought her to jewelry-making. As an architect, she created 3-D objects on a macro scale; as a metalsmith, she creates 3-D objects on a micro scale. She studied under numerous masters and is especially influenced by Michael Good.
"Receiving the Alice Abrams Future of Design Fund Scholarship is a tremendous honor and will provide me an opportunity to further my education at Revere Academy. The knowledge I gain will surely expand my designs and increase my technical skills," said Kwong.
“My design sensibility comes from years of practicing as an architect,” said Kwong. “Shell and tensile structures have always fascinated me with their clean lines and sinuous curves, which is the inspiration for my use of shell-forming and anticlastic raising techniques. Each curve brings excitement and leads the eyes to discoveries. I use hammers, stakes, and anvil to slowly coax thin flat sheets of silver, gold, or mokume gane to slowly shape them into 3-D objects.“
The Future of Design Jewelry Education Fund in The New York Community Trust was established by Cindy Edelstein, owner of Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, to foster the future development of talented American jewelry designers by providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships and the production of educational seminars, conferences and publications to support the future of design in the fine jewelry business.
“I am proud of all that we do to help designers grow and prosper,” said Edelstein. “But scholarship money is the most exciting of all. We hope to help as many as we can to learn, grow and flourish as jewelers who can make their design fantasies come true with their own hands. We believe in the jewelry arts and we’re proud to help students learn from the best at the Revere Academy.”
Alice Abrams chose many years ago to donate to the Fund so that she could support the cause, as well. The past two scholarships have been given in her honor.
“I am now 83 and still work at my bench,” remarked Abrams. “I have adoring clients and fingers that have polishing gunk under my nails --but I do clean up well most of the time. I was in my late forties when I first attended the Revere Academy. I took a class with Michael Good and the Academy made me feel like a star,” said Abrams who feels a kinship with all designers who get to learn at the Revere Academy. Coincidentally both Alice and Theresa cite Michael Good as inspiration for their work.
"IN LIFE AS IN THE DANCE, GRACE GLIDES ON BLISTERED FEET."- Alice Abrams
“This quote of mine has been picked up by a multitude of people since its publication twenty years ago in the book "The Last Word." Every few months I type it into Google...and voila! I too find many surprises,” said Abrams as she wished the winner luck in her career.
For more information on next year’s scholarship contest please contact Cindy Edelstein at or 914-738-8485.
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ABOUT THE REVERE ACADEMY
The Revere Academy is a professional jewelry trade school where seasoned masters share their skills and passion with students at all levels. Schedules and information are available upon request from the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, 785 Market Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: 415-391-4179 Web Site: www.revereacademy.com Revere Academy Email: info@revereacademy.com
ABOUT JEWELER’S RESOURCE BUREAU
JRB is a niche marketing firm focused on the designer sector of the fine jewelry industry. It specializes in helping design'preneurs grow their businesses with information and insight®. The company has created trade shows, books, conferences, educational products, a membership website and more from its unique vantage point at the intersection of the fine jewelry, fine craft and fine accessories worlds.