A Wrexham University School of Art graduate has credited his time at the university for his transformation into a silversmith.

Jamie Watson, who completed his degree in Applied Arts last year, has spoken about how the university helped him forge a career as a silversmith.

Mr Watson has recently been announced as one of the Bishopsland Educational Trust’s artists in residence.

This follows a successful year-long residency at the Trust, where he was given the opportunity to 'hone his craft' as a silversmith.

There, he was involved in various projects, including an exhibition at Cutlers’ Hall, a pop-up exhibition at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London, and the Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair.

The Doncaster native said that his passion for art was ignited while studying at Wrexham University’s School of Art.

He said: "My time at university was completely life-changing for me.

"Before university I never considered myself to be an artist but Wrexham University transformed me into one.

"It gave me a solid foundation and helped me develop my artistic side."

Before university, Mr Watson had a varied career path, from building children's soft play equipment to being an outdoor activities instructor.

However, he had never explored any artistic ventures until his partner enrolled on Wrexham University’s Applied Arts course in 2019.

Mr Watson said: "I remember feeling excited by what she had told me about what was available to her as a student – particularly that there was a forge within the workshop, as I’d always wanted to try blacksmithing."

It was in 2020, when Mr Watson started his degree, that he discovered his talent for silversmithing.

He said: "I felt incredibly fortunate that the degree programme was led by such supportive and skilled lecturers, who not only encouraged me but also opened my eyes to the fact that I could make a career out of doing something I really enjoyed."

In the final year of his degree, Mr Watson was encouraged to apply for a residency at Bishopsland.

He said: "To be encouraged to apply for – and then successfully gain a place on the residency was just incredible – and my learning and growth since starting at Bishopsland has been enormous.

"I’ve really developed my craft as a silversmith and feel hugely proud to be the Trust’s current artist in residence.

"I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for studying at Wrexham."

Julie Mellor, Applied Arts Lecturer at Wrexham University, said: "It fills me with an immense sense of pride that each and every year at Wrexham University School of Art, we continue to develop an enormously talented group of students, who go on to achieve great things and work hard to hone their craft and artistic style – Jamie is another wonderful example of this.

"A huge congratulations to Jamie for not only his successful year-long residency at Bishopsland but now also the fact that he is their current artist in residence.

"That’s a major coup and just the very beginning of exciting things to come for Jamie."