MAKERS 101 Ltd (M101): Advancing Jewellery Arts & Sector Development
Makers 101 Ltd (M101) is a dedicated arts organisation fostering growth and innovation within Aotearoa’s jewellery sector. Through strategic collaborations with national and international experts, M101 creates meaningful opportunities that strengthen the field—delivering exhibitions and sector-wide initiatives such as residencies, mentorships, coaching projects, masterclasses, and publications.
At the heart of M101’s advocacy is the acclaimed HANDSHAKE project, which has supported over 60 emerging artists—many now recognised as key contributors to the field. This long-running mentorship and exhibition programme exemplifies M101’s commitment to nurturing talent and building sustainable creative careers.
M101 actively develops and delivers sector-wide opportunities, including:
- Exhibitions and Biennials: Recent projects include the Suter Jewellery Biennial, Nelson, held in conjunction with Nelson Jewellery Week, and the Jewellery LAB biennial with The National in Ōtautahi Christchurch. These platforms celebrate experimental approaches and material innovation, with the Suter Prize offering a solo exhibition to the winning Jewellery LAB artist.
- Professional Development: M101 facilitates upskilling programmes, residencies, masterclasses, and expert feedback sessions designed to elevate practice and foster critical dialogue.
- Sector Advocacy and Collaboration: Through partnerships with national and international institutions, M101 contributes to the shaping of sector standards, visibility, and future-facing initiatives such as the Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial.
As a nimble, project-based organisation, M101 responds to the evolving needs of the jewellery community—supporting exhibition-ready professional artists at all stages of their careers and advocating for contemporary jewellery as a vital cultural practice.
M101 is led by artistic director Peter Deckers and project coordinator Hilda Gascard, working in close collaboration with a vibrant network of artists, educators, and sector enthusiasts who help bring each programme to life.
Peter has been a practising jewellery artist and educator since 1980, with a long-standing commitment to sector development. His first major curatorial project DEEP, was presented at The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt, marking the beginning of his contributions to shaping New Zealand’s jewellery landscape.
DEEP exhibition, 9-to-5 Wellington Jewellery Group, 1999
followed by DEEPER STILL and catalogue at EON, Auckland.
M101: Key Initiatives & Sector Contributions
Makers 101 (M101) has developed and continues to develop a range of projects aimed at supporting and advancing New Zealand’s jewellery sector. These initiatives focus on exhibition opportunities, curatorial development, and professional growth:
M101 international projects (selected links):
GOODNESS, an NZ sector exhibition at the Modeschule, Munich, during Schmuck Event 2025 and Nelson during NJW 2025
267206 DAYS, 2276 FULL MOONS, Stanley Street Gallery, Sydney 2024
HS7 at Marzee, Marzee, NL, 2023
SPOTLIGHT on New Zealand, Gallery Door, NL, 2021-22
Jewellery from AOTEAROA New Zealand, Marzee, NL 2022
Chainreaction’ HANDSHAKE Anniversary ‘Nelson. NZ 2021
HSDC COLAB, Melbourne 2021
The Conventional Reformed, Stanley Street Gallery, Sydney 2020
HS5 collaboration with Coda collection, CODA museum, NL 2020
CHAINreaction, Atta Gallery, Bangkok, 2018
Super Position, Stanley Street Gallery, Sydney 2018
Te Ao Hurihuri – Ever Changing World Crypt Gallery, London 2018
Contemporary Jewellery in Context, book publication, Arnoldsche 2017
HS3 at the Frame galleries, IHM, Munich 2017
HS3 exhibition, Platina, Stockholm and catalogue, 2016
Specials, Residenz, Munich and catalogue 2016
HS2 at Stanley Street Gallery, Sydney 2015
HS1 at the Frame galleries, IHM Munich 2013 and publication
Jewellery out of Context (JOC), Sydney, Halifax, Apeldoorn, Auckland, and catalogue 2006-07
Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial (2022)
M101 is currently engaged in the ‘Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial‘, celebrating the vision of expert curators who are shaping its evolving identity.
- The first Triennial, curated by Emma Ng, was held at Objectspace in 2022.
- The second Triennial, He momo, nā te whānau, curated by Sian van Dyk, is a touring exhibition presented at The Suter Art Gallery, Nelson (8 March – 8 June 2025) as part of Nelson Jewellery Week 2025, and travelling to Te Manawa Museum, Palmerston North (23 August 2025 – 1 March 2026) and Waikato Museum, Hamilton (March 20 – July 20, 2026)
M101 main activity is the ‘Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial‘, which celebrates the vision of an expert curator.
The first triennial, curated by Emma Ng was at Objectspace 2022.
The second triennial, curated by Sian van Dyk will be at:
The Suter Art Gallery, Nelson (8 March – 8 June 2025)
and Te Manawa Museum, Palmerston North (23 August 2025 – 1 March 2026)
SPOTlight on New Zealand (2021 – current)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, M101 launched the ‘Spotlight on NZ’ project in partnership with Gallery Door (NL), showcasing selected New Zealand jewellery artists at prestigious European art fairs. As a result, three NZ jewellers are now represented by Gallery Door, reinforcing their presence in the international jewellery scene.
During Covid M101 organised ‘Spotlight on NZ’ project in partnership with Gallery Door (NL) and represented selected NZ jewellery artists at high-profile European art fairs.
Three NZ jewellers are now represented by Gallery Door.
HANDSHAKE project (2011 – 2025)
The HANDSHAKE project: Advancing Jewellery Artists in Aotearoa
The HANDSHAKE project, a major initiative of M101, was launched in 2011 with the support of CNZ. Its final project and exhibition concluded in 2025 at Nelson Jewellery Week.
Over its multiple iterations, HANDSHAKE supported 60 emerging jewellery artists from New Zealand, many of whom remain active and influential within the sector today.
The HANDSHAKE (HS) programme offered these artists a structured professional development package, helping them refine ideas and create artworks for a series of exhibitions under the guidance of a chosen mentor. As part of this experience, artists also participated in masterclasses led by internationally renowned jewellery practitioners, further enhancing their technical skills, conceptual approaches, and industry knowledge.
This two-year programme was followed by an additional one-year extension for selected artists from previous HANDSHAKE cohorts, providing them with opportunities to showcase work at internationally renowned establishments.
Through its accumulative approach, HANDSHAKE provided New Zealand jewellery artists with professional opportunities, key industry skills, and expanded artistic capacity, strengthening their presence within the contemporary jewellery landscape.
The HANDSHAKE project: Advancing Jewellery Artists in Aotearoa
The HANDSHAKE project, a major initiative of M101, was launched in 2011 with the support of CNZ. Its final project and exhibition concluded in 2025 at Nelson Jewellery Week.
Over its multiple iterations, HANDSHAKE supported 60 emerging jewellery artists from New Zealand, many of whom remain active and influential within the sector today.
The HANDSHAKE (HS) programme offered these artists a structured professional development package, helping them refine ideas and create artworks for a series of exhibitions under the guidance of a chosen mentor. As part of this experience, artists also participated in masterclasses led by internationally renowned jewellery practitioners, further enhancing their technical skills, conceptual approaches, and industry knowledge.
This two-year programme was followed by an additional one-year extension for selected artists from previous HANDSHAKE cohorts, providing them with opportunities to showcase work at internationally renowned establishments.
Through its accumulative approach, HANDSHAKE provided New Zealand jewellery artists with professional opportunities, key industry skills, and expanded artistic capacity, strengthening their presence within the contemporary jewellery landscape.
JEMposium (2012)
In 2012 M101 brought the international JEMposium conference to Wellington (see below).
In 2012 M101 brought the international JEMposium conference to Wellington (see below).
Wellington 2012
Wellington 2012
handSTAND (2009)
handSTAND catalogue (pdf)
In 2009, M101 curated handSTAND on invitation to organise a major exhibition for the second New Zealand Jewellery Show, in Auckland.
The handSTAND exhibition concept with its supportive structure became the precursor for the 2011 HANDSHAKE Project.
In 2009, M101 curated handSTAND on invitation to organise a major exhibition for the second New Zealand Jewellery Show, in Auckland.
Jewellery out of Context (2006) & JOC (2007)
Jewellery out of Context (JOC) exhibition and catalogue, 2006 Sydney, as part of the JMGA conference (see below).
Jewellery out of Context (JOC) exhibition and catalogue, 2006 Sydney, as part of the JMGA conference (see below).
Followed by the international travel JOC exhibition and catalogue: 2006-08 (Auckland, Canada, the Netherlands)
Followed by the international travel JOC exhibition and catalogue: 2006-08 (Auckland, Canada, the Netherlands)
Makers 101 (M101) maintains two archival websites to document and support its project activities.
aotearoajewellery.org.nz & handshakeproject.com
These platforms serve as essential resources for:
- Project & Sector Documentation – Preserving exhibition records, artist contributions, and curatorial developments.
- Sector Insights & Accessibility – Offering archives of contemporary jewellery artistry in Aotearoa.
- Research & Engagement – Providing artists, curators, and researchers access to past and ongoing projects.
- Network Strengthening – Fostering connections between national and international participants.
Supported by Creative New Zealand
