Silversmith Diane lives her dream in mission to inspire other

Silversmith Diane lives her dream in mission to inspire other

1 February 2012 - by JOANNE FLEMING

DIANE Lyness exemplifies the ‘it’s never too late to follow your dream’ philosophy.

The Killinchy woman spent her early years raising three children and working in a variety of jobs before going to college and pursing her dream of a career in the arts.

The 55 year-old goldsmith and silversmith recently graduated from the University of Ulster gaining a BA Hons in Fine and Applied Arts, and is currently the Artist in Residence in Down Arts Centre as part of a two year business start up programme.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Craft NI ‘Making It’ scheme means Diane makes and sells her goods, which range from bowls to brooches, at the arts centre, while also hosting a number of workshops.

For several years Diane has been an apprentice goldsmith with Graham Harron in Killyleagh and since graduating has enjoyed early success with private and corporate commissions, including making the awards for the BBC’s House of the Year programme.

“I always wanted to go to art college but I never quite made it, circumstances got in the way,” said Diane. “I worked in retail jewellery and aromatherapy, and then six years ago I decided to do a City and Guilds course.”

It was perhaps inevitable, however, that she would eventually follow in her family’s footsteps.

“My father was a silver plater in Belfast and my brother a silver and gold plater,” she said. “I did do a foundation course in art and design at Belfast Met about four years ago and they were also great at guiding you forwards.”

Subsequently finding herself applying for Art College, Diane loved every minute of student life, but admits that she lacked confidence in herself and had to make sacrifices to succeed.

“Every Saturday and Sunday to make ends meet I worked in an espresso bar, she said. “And I realised that art college was not just about learning my trade but about developing yourself and your designs, seeing what is within and expressing yourself.

“They were always at me to think ‘out of the box’, and there were some tears along the way. Everyone was very supportive and got so cross with me when I said I couldn’t do it.

“Most of the people in college were in their twenties but there was no age barrier and I took on commissions from the word go.”

Among those commissions was a piece for a time capsule which was being buried at Belfast City Hall.

“They were looking for 20 pieces of art and I made one of them,” she said, recalling the time of year being the lead-up to Valentine’s Day.

“I remember it being February and thinking I’ve been married twice and it being a bit of a touchy subject. My piece was in the shape of a heart, and there was a little thorn, and there were little windows. It was about looking through the window and people not knowing what is going on in the inside.

“I thought it was time to bury my past. Mind you Naomi Long, the Lord Mayor, thought the heart was actually a ‘B’ for Belfast. So I don’t know what they’ll make of it in years to come!”

Describing her student experience as “great craic”, Diane hopes she will encourage anyone else in a similar position to go for their dream, and not worry about whether they’ve left it too late.

“At my City and Guilds course they were so supportive and then all of a sudden I was applying for other things,” she said. “If I can do it anyone can do it. My kids were terribly supportive, and the help is definitely out there. You realise that time is of the essence, and you’re not going to waste any time once you get there.”

Diane is running silver jewellery night classes for beginners at the University of Ulster on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 9pm. Those attending learn a variety of jewellery techniques including soldering, shaping, cutting, texturing metal and polishing and using equipment such as a piercing saw, soldering torch, mandrills, doming punches, files and hammers.

The class runs from February 16 to May 3. To book a place contact 028 9536 7370 or e-mail d.mckinney@ulster.ac.uk