On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the awards gala for the “Métal Morphose” exhibition was held at the WIP gallery located on Saint-Laurent Street. Open to the public from May 29th to June 1st, the exhibition showcased the talent and creativity of our students in the Art and Craft Techniques – Specialization in Jewelry, a college-level program offered in partnership with Cégep du Vieux Montréal.
This year, we had the pleasure of celebrating ten graduating students, whose work was displayed alongside that of first- and second-year students — highlighting the evolution and richness of their academic journeys. With over 200 pieces on display, the event was an opportunity to recognize their excellence through numerous awards and distinctions, all in a festive and inspiring atmosphere.
At the vernissage, excellence prizes over $12,000 were awarded to students in the form of scholarships, gift cards, products, and professional services. These awards, offered by our partners, honor students’ creativity, technical skill, and perseverance while supporting the growth of their careers.
Congratulations to our 2025 graduates : Aurélien Evrard, Biaggio Carnevale, Camille Gagné, Claude Larivée, Laury Béliveau, Léa Dubois, Léa Marotte, Milane Otani-Frigon, Valérie St-Denis, and Viviane Jodoin-Gravel.
Here are the recipients of the various awards :
Henriette Sicard – First-Year Excellence Award, presented by instructor France Roy
Ophélie Soulliage – Second-Year Excellence Award, presented by instructor Monique Giroux
Elizabeth Pindor – Motivation and Autonomy Award, presented by administrative assistant Sylvie Guer
Ophélie Soulliage & Emily Boury – Drawing Award, presented by instructor Catherine Villeneuve
Elisabeth Pope – Creativity Award, presented by Perla owner Joanie Beauséjour
Biaggio Carnevale – Aesthetic and Technical Evolution Award, presented by Simon Marcil, president of the Corporation des Bijoutiers du Québec
Zacharie Lapointe – Technical Performance Award, presented by instructor Gabrielle Desmarais
Valérie St-Denis & Aurélien Evrard – Best Final Project Presentations (2025), presented by instructor Marie-Josée Pelletier
Milane Otani-Frigon – Third-Year Excellence Award, presented by final project instructors Lynn Légaré and Marie-Ève Castonguay
Claude Larivée & Milane Otani-Frigon – Janis Kerman Award 2025, presented by jeweler Janis Kerman
Pauline Garcia & Inès Rigaux – Artistic Process and Work Quality Award, presented by instructor Catherine Lachapelle
Caroline Drouin & Marimaud Royer – Two Perseverance Scholarships, presented by Krisztina Szigeti of the Association of University Women Graduates of Montérégie
Milane Otani-Frigon – Barbara Cohen Award 2025, presented by curator and jeweler Barbara Cohen and awarded by Noel Guyomarc’h
Milane Otani-Frigon – Serafino Award 2025, presented by jewelers Annegret Morf and Antonio Serafino
As is tradition, the École de joaillerie de Montréal acquired a new piece for its private collection, thereby enriching a legacy that has evolved for over 20 years. This year, the 2025 Private Collection Award was granted to Claude Larivée, selected by a jury of three jeweler-artists : Marie-Maude Brunet, Catherine Ziborova, and Matthieu Cheminée.
Claude Larivée – Private Collection Award 2025, presented by jeweler Catherine Ziborova
Alice Wang – Gemology Award, presented by instructor and gemologist Christine Dwane
Alice Wang – Technical Quality Award, presented by instructor Anne-Sophie Vallée
Dominic Dufour joaillier, president of the school’s board of directors, announced the graduates who will have the opportunity to showcase their creations next spring in his boutique in Rosemère :
Claude Larivée, Léa Dubois, Léa Marotte, and Milane Otani-Frigon.
We warmly congratulate our 2025 graduates and thank our valued partners for their unwavering support of the next generation !
Special thanks to all our sponsors :
AFDU – Montérégie • Alloyco • Atelier-boutique Limaçon • Atelier Émigé • Avokoum Gems • Barbara Cohen • Bijouteries Lavigueur • Canada Beading Supply • Corporation des Bijoutiers du Québec • Coulage MD • Desmarais Concept • Dominic Dufour joaillier • Eurêka • Ex Aurum Fine Jewelry • Flamme en rose • Fonte LB Casting • Gemmax • Imagine 3D • Importex Co. • Janis Kerman Design • Joanie Guillemet Joaillière • Kitco • Lavery • Les Outils Lee Valley • Machinerie EBS • MSD Gem • Nikmak • Ormex • Perla • Pierres de charme • PlumePak • Rippana • Rio Grande • Sassounian • Serafino joailliers • Sial • Ultra Tool • Unitec • Umicore
Photo credits : Alice Wang ©
