Nina Bilbey with the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London and the Master of the Masons Company
Last month, in a ceremony at Mansion House, two members of the Art School community received Master Crafts certificates from the Livery Company Skills Council with the City and Guilds of London Institute. The Livery Company prizes recognize outstanding learners and tutors who have been awarded or who have delivered City & Guilds Group qualifications. The awards were presented by the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Professor Michael Mainelli.
Our congratulations to Nina Bilbey, who was awarded her Master Certificate, acknowledging a career spanning over thirty years including her work as Senior Stone Carving Tutor at the Art School. Nina is one of the country’s most respected carvers: an award-winning sculptor, teacher and mentor, the co-founder of the Abraxas Stone Carving Academy and the co-host of the podcast “The Stone Carving and Lettering Takeaway”. Her work can be seen across many heritage buildings, including the statues of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the West Front of Canterbury Cathedral – the first sculptures to depict them as a pair.
Certificate recipients from the Worshipful Company of Masons, Apprentices, Journeymen and Masters with the Master of the Company
The Art School also congratulates alumna Jo Grogan on receiving her Master Wood Carver certificate. Following a career in fashion and jewellery design, Jo graduated last year from the Art School with a First Class BA (Hons) Carving: Woodcarving & Gilding. She has been the recipient of multiple awards, including the Grinling Gibbons 300 Tercentenary Emerging Carvers Award, Student Designer at the 2023 Wood Awards, QEST scholarship, and First Prize in the Worshipful Company of Joiners & Ceilers Wood Carving competition 2023. Jo has received press recognition for her work, including participation in Sky Arts’ The Prince’s Master Crafters in 2022.
Attendees and Prize Winners at the ceremony, held at Mansion House
Well done Nina and Jo!