L’École, School of Jewellery Arts, which was founded in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, returns to New York City this October with a series of classes, exhibitions, and evening conversations that invite the public to immerse themselves in the art of jewellery guided by leading experts.
L’École will take up residence at 2 East 63rd Street from October 24th–November 9th, 2018, with a dynamic roster of programmes that introduce and deepen visitors’ understanding of the jewellery-making processes and techniques, gemmology, and the fascinating history behind some of the world’s most precious stones.
Marking the school’s most expansive US programme to date, the fall 2018 programme will feature 15 courses, four workshops designed for children and teens, and six conversations that bring together experts across the disciplines of art, science, history, and technology.
Three exhibitions will enhance the educational programmes. They include the New York debut of works by renowned American artist Daniel Brush, featuring a series of chokers, a set of bangles inspired by the bracelet’s cultural role in India, and the artist’s first visual poetry book; a rare presentation of a private New York collection of jewellery from the 19th century to the 1960s; and a display of historical reproductions—made possible due to L’École’s multidisciplinary research approach—that reimagine 20 exquisite diamonds previously owned by Louis XIV, but which are now mostly lost to the world.
“Traditionally, the jewellery arts have been rooted in the expertise of a select few and passed down through direct apprenticeship,” said Marie Vallanet-Delhom, president of L’École. “L’École’s programmes break down barriers to the vast and enchanting world of jewellery for everyone. Whether you’re a collector or wear only your wedding band; whether you’re an engineer, a painter, or a schoolteacher; you’ll learn directly from our experts and the only prerequisite is a desire to learn.”
“We are proud to support L’École’s broad educational mission, providing object-based learning in the jewellery arts around the world,” said Nicolas Bos, global president & chief executive officer, Van Cleef & Arpels. “Anyone can learn to determine the difference between related stones, admire the craftsmanship that goes into each detail in a setting, and discover the symbolic references that inspire the great designs of today.”
Based at Place Vendôme in Paris with nomadic programmes around the world, L’École is dedicated to passing down the expertise of jewellery-making to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring that this ancient tradition remains vital today. The fall 2018 programme marks the first return of L’École to New York City since it debuted at the Cooper Hewitt in 2015. The full New York class schedule will be available at us.lecolevancleefarpels.com in August 2018.