It’s always sad when a PAOS member passes away, but as someone said, “A bright star left us today” when they heard the news that long-standing PAOS member and former PAOS Treasurer, Kerry Richardson, passed away in Sue Ryder Hospice on Friday 22 July after a brave fight against cancer.
Kerry’s highly individual jewellery designs came from a combination of the African landscape and culture of her birthplace, South Africa, combined with personal symbols that were unique to her work.
Kerry first entered the world of jewellery-making when she studied for an apprenticeship with Erich Frey Limited in Pretoria, South Africa. She also studied gemmology and stone cutting and then continued developing her skills at the Sir John Cass Department of Jewellery and Silversmithing, London Guildhall University. Throughout her career Kerry received recognition and awards for her work from organisations including the British Jewellers’ Association and the Goldsmiths’ Hall. Kerry also worked with her sister, Bronwyn, on a joint venture – Keramika Creations – creating unique pieces of art using ceramics, gold and silver threads and other items inspired by nature to create beautiful pieces of art.
Kerry during PAOS 2018 with fellow artists Brian Withall, Denise Brown, Christine Withall and Andrea Van Cleef..
Kerry travelled the country showcasing her work at craft fairs, including Manifest and the Goldsmiths Fair, arts and crafts shops and galleries and online via her Etsy Shop and the Peterborough Gift Shop.
She, together with fellow PAOS members and Artists, Christine and Brian Withall, was the instigator of the PAOS Affordable Art Fair that was always a great success – thanks to their organisation and effort.
However, the highlight of Kerry’s year was Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios’ weekends, where she had the opportunity to showcase her work with visitors and discuss her creative techniques in her home-based workshop.
It is fair to say Kerry made so many friends through the arts community and through her work as a Pilates tutor and was supported by many of those friends during her final months, days and hours as she bravely battled cancer, demonstrating that PAOS is more than just a membership group, it is an arts’ community where members meet good friends and acquaintances.
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understandings with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for a while and leave footprints on our memories forever.”
Kerry was one of those people.
Kerry requested a silent/non-attendance funeral.
The PAOS Team
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