Glasgow pupils take top craft awards
Published by Anne Marie Hughes on Fri 22 Jun 12 @ 11:17
Willis Morris with Deacon Convener Jack Steele and his award-winning lamp.
Willis Morris (16), a 6th year pupil at Holyrood Secondary School, took the overall prize in the Trades House of Glasgow School Craft Competition for his stylised Highland lamp with forged wrought iron work antlers.
Willis, who lives in Glencairn Drive, Pollokshields, took on the project in his spare time having already completed all his curricular work for his higher metalwork studies. He designed the lamp so that the antlers would cast shadows and create patterns on the walls and floor.
He is one of more than 60 pupils from secondary schools across Glasgow who were rewarded by the Trades House for exceptional craft work produced as part of their curricular studies. He is also one of 11 pupils who took first or joint first prizes in a variety of categories, which included metalwork, woodwork, plastic, portfolio work and the culinary excellence programme.
"Our panel of judges from the Trades House reviewed more than 150 submissions and the calibre of work has been quite exceptional once again this year," said Jack Steele, Deacon Convener of the Trades of Glasgow. "The antler light by Willis is outstanding."
Commenting on Willis's overall win, Paul Skelton, Head of Design and Technology at Holyrood Secondary School said: "The very fact that Willis came in on his own time to undertake this project says it all about his enthusiasm and love for this craft. He has been an outstanding pupil and a very determined young man who goes that extra mile.
"While he took advice from his teachers for his lighting feature, he went away and executed his design on his own, forging and turning the metalwork to create the antlers. We are all delighted to see him pick up the top Trades House of Glasgow School Craft prize. He is a real credit to Holyrood Secondary."
Deacon Convener Jack Steele and other senior Trades House of Glasgow office bearers were joined by Lord Provost Sadie Docherty to present pupils in all categories with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, plus commended and highly commended certificates, each also receiving monetary prizes. In addition to his category win, Willis was also awarded £75 as overall winner.
The School Craft Competition, supported by Glasgow City Council Education Department, is part of several Trades House initiatives aimed at encouraging the preservation of traditional crafts alongside those of new technology skills.
