Rio Grande Issues Call for Entries for 2014 Saul Bell Design Award
Competition Rio Grande has issued the call for entries for the 2014
Saul Bell Design Award Competition. The competition, now in its 14th
year, recognizes innovation and distinction in jewelry design. It
encourages designers to push the limits of their imaginations as they
create an original piece of jewelry art in any of seven categories.
A new alternative metals/materials category has been added to the
2014 competition in recognition of the work jewelers are doing with
non-precious metals and materials. Designers in this category may
use any non-traditional metal or material not covered in another
category, including base metals, reactive metals, resin, glass, wood,
found objects and textiles.
The seven categories in the 2014 competition are: silver/Argentium
Silver, gold/platinum, metal clay, hollowware/art objects, enamel,
alternative metals/materials and emerging jewelry artist.
The emerging jewelry artist category of the competition is open to
designers who are 18 years of age and younger by August 1, 2013.
One of the jewelry industry’s leading vehicles of recognition, the
competition challenges designers to create a piece that pushes the
boundaries of their abilities.
“There is no higher incentive to challenge us as designers than the
Saul Bell awards,” says Ryan Roberts, the grand prize winner of the
2013 award in the gold/platinum category. “Knowing that your piece
must show the judges something new and innovative forces us to push
ourselves outside our comfort zones and do something we’ve never done
before.” Winning designers are recognized at a gala dinner and their
pieces will be promoted within the industry.
“I encourage every jeweler I know to enter,” says Robin Waynee, the
2012 grand prize winner in the gold/platinum category. “My award has
been very beneficial within the industry. It has opened so many doors
for me that wouldn’t be available otherwise.” Initial design concepts
are due September 27. Finalists will be notified by early November
and must submit completed pieces by January 31, 2014. Emerging
jewelry artists must submit their initial design concepts by November
29.
Detailed about categories, deadlines and entry
guidelines is available at SAUL BELL DESIGN AWARD