Did you know that as well as offering training, we are Fine Art Trade Guild appointed examination centres?
Ian recently travelled to Sharon-Lee‘s training and examination centre in Northern Ireland. He was there to help with a GCF voorbereiding, and a GCF Advanced voorbereiding, followed by two days of taking GCF exams. Students Denis McInerney and Stephen Staunton from The Framing Centre, Limerick, left early on a Monday morning to arrive for their Exam Preparation Day. On Tuesday, Denis was taking his GCF Advanced: Conservation Framing examination while Stephen was taking his GCF exam. Ian spent Monday with Denis going over the format of the exam and discussing various areas where he wanted reassurance. At the same time Sharon-Lee worked with Stephen, doing the same thing, but at GCF level.
As Guild appointed examiners we often find that exam candidates just need the reassurance that their knowledge and techniques are up to scratch. There’s no better way to find this out than to take one of our GCF Exam Preparation Days.
Day 2, and it was time for Denis and Stephen, who are both very proficient framers, to take their exams. Stephen has been working with Denis for more than three years now, and has been well taught about the principles and practice of high quality framing. Denis has been framing for many years and felt that the time was right to get a GCF Advanced qualification under his belt. During his exam, which lasted in excess of four hours, Denis had to demonstrate a deep understanding of the principles behind conservation framing practice. Amongst other things, he also had to present three completed items which required framing at Level 1 and Level 2. Denis had to answer questions on decisions taken when completing the pieces, and discuss whether alternative methods or materials could be used.
While Denis’ exam was in progress, Sharon-Lee was taking Stephen’s GCF examination. We’re happy to say that both Denis and Stephen passed their respective examinations with an almost perfect score.
Day 3, and it was time for another two GCF exams, which involved two candidates from a bit closer to home. They were Mia-Lilli and Neil Jardine, who are Sharon-Lee’s grandaughter and son-in-law. Because of the close family relationship Sharon-Lee felt it was only right that they were independently tested, which is where Ian stepped in.
Mia-Lilli has been in and about the business almost daily since she was five years old. She started helping out Steven and Sharon-Lee from a very early age, and has had the benefit of a long education from her grandparents. She is now 15 years old, and after her ‘Ganda’ passed away she wanted to make him proud by taking her GCF exam. Mia-Lilli is extremely confident in a framing workshop environment, and despite the workshop having a Valiani CMC, her mounts were cut by hand on a Keencut Ultimat Gold manual cutter.
Neil is Mia-Lilli’s dad, and has also spent time in the workshop over many years, helping Steven and Sharon-Lee during their busier times. Since Steven passed away, he regularly helps Sharon-Lee out, and has become a capable framer with an exceptional eye for detail. Neil also hand cut the mounts for his exam rather than use the Valiani CMC.
We’re happy to say that like Denis and Stephen from Limerick, both Mia-Lilli and Neil have passed their GCF examinations with flying colours. Mia-Lilli’s pass makes her the youngest Fine Art Trade Guild Certified Framer on record.