Further developing our conservation tiling skills with a QEST Scholarship
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through traditional courses, vocational training, apprenticeships and one-to-one training with a master craftsperson; helping to support Britain’s cultural heritage and sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts.
QEST has awarded over £5.3million to 700 individuals working across the UK in 130 different craft disciplines. From guitar making to printmaking; thatching to enamelling, the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship embraces craft in all its many forms, contributing towards its evolving tradition. QEST funding has provided an essential turning point for many of the QEST alumni, and the organisation continues to support them throughout their career, offering opportunities for exhibitions, collaborations and commissions through our extensive craft network.
Andrew from WERE Tiling has trained in a variety of tiling specialisms while working in Scotland, England, Italy and Macedonia. Learning alongside various artisans and craftsmen during his journey, including; master tiler Craig Peebles and master mason Kenneth Paxton. WERE: Conservation & Contemporary Mosaic has grown considerably over the last six years and he is now looking to further develop his skills in the field of mosaic.
As the business has developed, we have received requests for more complex commissions & difficult designs and Andrew recognizes the need for further technical training and development to ensure that we continually offer our customers the very best in Conservation and Contemporary Mosaic Tiling Services.
A 2023 QEST Scholarship will enable Andrew to train with master mosaicist Giulia Vogrig, covering critical mosaic design techniques and craft skills, including cutting smalti glass, marble and stone using traditional tools like hammers and hardies. This will enable Andrew to carry out work of much higher complexity in terms of design and production, while furthering the development of the restoration and maintenance of architectural and decorative tiles, faience and mosaic in the historic built environments of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and the surrounding towns and cities in Scotland and Northern England.
