Personal Archeologies. A Workshop by Ela Bauer and Gésine Hackenberg

Personal Archeologies encourages participants to explore questions such as: what materials do we carry with us from our ancestry, culture, gender, place, or different periods in time? Which artefacts of the self are real, performed or imagined? Where do these categories blur? How do these personal narratives relate to the body and jewellery?

We will translate these questions into a visual and material language by creating body-related pieces that reflect personal and collective histories.

The workshop is based on a step-by-step educational process, focusing on the creative process and personal development rather than the completion of a final object.

Through material exploration exercises, we will encourage intuition, imagination and associative thinking, to foster a dynamic dialogue between materials and ideas. Group discussions will encourage reflection and interpretation, and written exercises will help participants to clarify their thoughts and intentions.

Personal Archeologies aims to provide you with the tools to enhance your visual language and gain a fresh perspective on your own practice.
 
* MASieraad is a foundation dedicated to promoting jewellery in the Netherlands. Its board members are Ruudt Peters, Liesbeth den Besten, Chequita Nahar and Leo Versteijlen

Workshop leaders/instructor:
- Ela Bauer and Gésine Hackenberg, supported by MASieraad.
- Assistant: Sophia Zobel.

Details:
Dates: August 10–14, 2026.
Daily schedule: 9:00–20:00 (± 50 hours total).
Group size: approx. 12 participants.
Languages: English, German, Dutch.
  
Price:
Regular price: €1950 (excl. 21% VAT).
Includes accommodation, food, drinks, wine and tourist tax.
Early bird: €1750 (excl. 21% VAT).
For registration & full payment received before May 1, 2026.

Student grant: €1500 (excl. 21% VAT).
Three spots — applications due May 1, 2026

VAT notes:
- Non-European participants do not pay VAT
- European participants with a valid VAT number do not pay VAT

Disclaimer
Please note: A final decision regarding the workshop will be made in mid-May. Should the workshop be cancelled, all paid registration fees will be fully refunded. However, the organization cannot be held responsible or liable for any additional costs incurred by participants, including but not limited to travel, accommodation, or other personal expenses.
 
 
- Application document to apply, download it here
To be sent to elabauer8@gmail.com and mail@gesinehackenberg.com
 
 
Guest lecture: Liesbeth Den Besten, a renowned art historian specialized in the fields of Jewellery, will give a lecture.
Final session: MASieraad staff (Ruudt Peters, Liesbeth den Besten and Chequita Nahar) will join us for the final session.
Certificate: Upon completion, participants will receive a participation certificate