Jewellery Artists Gather at the Laidi Palace Residency

From 9 to 12 July, members of the Latvian Jewellery Art Association gathered at the Laidi Palace Residency for a creative symposium, bringing together jewellery artists for both artistic practice and collaborative planning of future projects. Alongside individual creative work, the symposium provided an opportunity to reconnect, exchange professional experience, and develop ideas for the Association’s upcoming initiatives.

One of the highlights of the programme was a ceramic workshop led by ceramic artist Monta Bergmane, introducing participants to wheel throwing and hand-building techniques. During the workshop, jewellery artists experimented with clay, creating elements for future jewellery pieces as well as developing ideas for independent sculptural objects. For many participants, it was their first experience working with ceramics, offering new insights into the material’s expressive qualities and its potential dialogue with metal and other jewellery materials.

Alongside the creative sessions, a series of working meetings focused on the Association’s future exhibition programme, with particular attention given to the Latvian Jewellery Art Association’s participation in the Liepāja 2027 programme. Discussions explored possible exhibition themes, scenographic concepts, display strategies, and collaborative working models. These meetings not only helped define future directions for the Association but also strengthened a shared vision for its long-term development.

During the symposium, participants also had the opportunity to meet Turkish photographer Cemil Batur Gökçeer, who was in residence at Laidi Palace Residency at the same time. The encounter led to inspiring conversations about documenting artistic practice and the creative process, culminating in a carefully staged group portrait of the symposium participants that became a lasting memento of the meeting.

The Latvian Jewellery Art Association extends its sincere gratitude to Inga Bermaka, Director of the Laidi Palace Residency, for her warm hospitality, generous support, and dedication to the continued development of the residency. It is particularly meaningful that Inga Bermaka was once a student of jewellery artist Jānis Brants at the Riga School of Design and Art, while today the residency she leads has become an important international creative platform where artists from different generations and disciplines come together to exchange ideas, build collaborations, and develop new cultural initiatives.