Israel Diamond Exchange President Yair Sahar: "The cooperation between the diamond sector and academia is today marking one of its record highs."
The display of final work – 'Learn Jewelry' by graduates of Shenkar College's jewelry design department opened on Thursday (July 11) at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum.
The opening ceremony was attended by leading members of the Israeli diamond sector and its industry organizations, many guests and the families of the graduates who, together with Israel Diamond Exchange President Yair Sahar, came to pay tribute to the 11th year of the course and to see the fruits of their labor.
Israel Diamond Exchange President Yair Sahar commented: "The cooperation between the diamond sector and academia is today marking one of its record highs. This is an important milestone for us. We are delighted that the graduates are displaying their work in the important storeroom of the Diamond Museum. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mayor of Ramat Gan, Zvi Bar, for all his support for the diamond bourse, the diamond museum and Shenkar College."
Yair Sahar: "This is an important milestone for us". Photo: Fuhcs
Yehuda Kassif, the Diamond Museum's curator and artistic director, said the exhibition was the latest in a long line of interesting and successful displays to go on show at the museum. He emphasized the link between the museum and Shenkar College and the fruitful content that the college's courses provide.
Shenkar College General Manager, Dror Kavey, said: "Our college and the diamond bourse have had strong relations for many years. I am proud of our graduates and I thank the diamond museum for the opportunity to display their work. Let there be many more years of cooperation between us."
Professor Dganit Shocken, the founder of the jewelry design course and head of the MA course in fashion design, textiles, jewelry and accessories, recounted that the graduates had invested four years of their lives in order to learn the design of jewelry. "I believe that jewelry design is a way to bring about change. This is a unique language that can change things in the world. Jewelry is a type of unique way for people to represent themselves. "The jewelry department came about due to the link between Shenkar and the diamond exchange. Many thanks to Yair Sahar for his great deal of work for our department."
Representative of the graduating class, Lior Sholek, said on behalf of the graduates: "Before you are 29 people who, four years ago, decided to dedicate almost all their time to this little thing called jewelry that brings extra beauty to a person. We have learned an enormous amount, and the studies were not easy. From the initial concept to the final product is a long path, but one that brings enormous satisfaction."
Sahar also spoke about the importance of the diamond sector and particularly the excellence of its human capital and wished the graduates well. "I am convinced that some of the graduates will find their place in the Israeli diamond sector. And on a personal note, my daughter, Chen is among the graduates here today. We love you and are very proud of you. Well done!"
Sharon Keren, who heads the jewelry design department at Shenkar College, thanked the teaching staff. He spoke about the task of accompanying of the students over the last four years, and thanked the parents for their support and the diamond museum.
The exhibition of the work of the new designers continues until September 11.
