When you give children an opportunity to draw and colour on a blank canvas, it’s amazing what they can create. Children see the world through a spectrum of sheer innocence, beauty and wonder – producing the most amazing works of art, which astound and mesmerize everyone around them.
This is the effect that Down Syndrome Association (DAS) and Ara Jewels wanted to produce when they collaborated on the “I Am A Jewel” project. This project is the brainchild of Ara Jewels, a Singaporean-owned private jeweller, which designs and creates bespoke diamond and precious stone pieces for its private clientele in Asia.
The objective of the “I Am A Jewel” project was simple – encourage the children at DSA to draw, color and design their very own jewellery and then have their designs transformed from paper to real pieces. This project recognizes the existing and potential talent of the children at DSA and the contribution they have made and which they can continue to make towards their families, communities and country. These children are true gems indeed and the project is aptly named in honor of them.
From an array of more than 20 designs submitted by the children, Ara Jewels selected four pieces and specially commissioned them to be made with sterling silver and semi-precious stones. These pieces were produced by Norbert Horschmann, an international jewelry designer/producer who lives and works in Bali. From the attached photographs, you can see the designs by the children were kept true to the original work and the real pieces look exquisite and truly one-of-a-kind.
Reeta Sabnani, Managing Director of Ara Jewels, is very excited by this entire experience. “We have been dreaming of doing this work for the kids at DSA for a couple of years now and it is very humbling to see these kids from different backgrounds give their very best. I am simply blown away by their enthusiasm, discipline and talent.”
Ara Jewels and DSA took this project one step further at the DSA Gala Dinner on 17 September 2011. All the four stunning pieces of jewellery were auctioned and the proceeds went towards DSA’s fund-raising efforts. All four talented artists were introduced during the Gala Dinner and their extraordinary pieces were put on display and auctioned off to the highest bidders. It was a truly beautiful moment for the children at DSA to experience the benefits of their creativity and desire to contribute to everyone around them. Everyone was touched and inspired by the “I Am A Jewel” project especially when they met the real gems of beings and their artworks at the Gala Dinner.