Vessels for everyday use
Masterclass with Beate Leonards
In a world driven by convenience, we often overlook the quiet presence of everyday objects. The masterclass Vessels for Everyday Use invites you to rediscover the beauty, thought, and care behind the items we hold and use daily.
Objects such as cups, bowls, pots, and vases are archetypal forms—deeply connected to the human body and to everyday rituals. They are at once functional and personal, simple yet often rich in meaning.
In this masterclass, German silversmith and designer Beate Leonards encourages you to reimagine these everyday items—not as neutral tools, but as objects that shape our gestures and daily rituals. It’s an invitation to reflect on the quiet beauty that functional objects can bring into our lives.
What to expect
Participants will primarily work with silver or tombac, exploring the relationship between design and making through hands-on experimentation. Beate will guide you through a process that values both precision and playfulness, connecting technical choices with design intent.
Themes covered
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Form language: What makes a form ‘usable’? How does the object relate to the hand, the mouth, the table? Should form and proportion suggest function?
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Craftsmanship: Hands-on working with silver or tombac as a way of thinking through material.
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Design strategy: How does daily use influence design? What role does simplicity play?
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Between tradition and personal expression: Working within a functional tradition while developing your own visual language.
About Beate Leonards
Beate Leonards (b. 1967) is a renowned German silversmith and designer whose work focuses on the balance between function, form, and craftsmanship. Her objects – marked by clarity and restraint – feature in international collections and exhibitions.
Since 1999, she has her own studio in Lübeck. She previously worked with Georg Jensen and Allan Scharff in Copenhagen, and in 2004 she taught in the gold- and silversmithing department at the School of Art in Canberra, Australia. Beate trained as a silversmith at the Staatliche Zeichenakademie in Hanau and completed her studies at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Nuremberg in 1999.
Earlier this year, she was as a jury member for the 21st edition of the Silver Triennial, alongside Wim Nys (curator at DIVA) and Karen Pontoppidan (professor at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Munich).
Who is it for?
This masterclass is intended for makers, gold- and silversmiths, and designers with experience in metalwork who wish to deepen both their technical and conceptual approach. Curiosity, critical reflection, and a willingness to experiment are essential.
Practical information
- Dates: 20 – 23 August
- Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Location: DIVA atelier, Kaasstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp
- Price: €540 (4 days)
Note: Metals are not included in the course fee.
Registration
Places are limited to 6 participants. Make sure to register in time to secure your spot.
More Information
Questions about materials, purchasing metals, or unsure if this workshop is right for you?
Feel free to email us at: atelier@divaantwerp.be
