Grafton Regional Gallery is seeking interest from residents of the Clarence Valley to open their jewellery boxes and share their treasures for an exhibition exploring the history of jewellery. Independent curator, Bree Hiatt, said the exhibition will highlight the diversity of jewellery throughout the different eras in history. “We are aiming to exhibit items of jewellery held in collections through the valley with the hope of uncovering the stories behind the pieces and who wore them,” she said. “The jewellery showcasing different materials and techniques will be exhibited alongside pieces that reflect the fashion and history of the time in which they were made. “To ensure we get a wonderful cross section of pieces we are appealing to the public to open up their jewellery boxes and explore what interesting pieces of jewellery they may have in their collections. “Jewellery has been used throughout history as a sign of status or rank in society, as a gift of love and endearment, as a form of decoration and in more modern times as a wearable art form pushing the boundaries of what we consider traditional jewellery. “The pieces we are seeking do not necessarily need to be valuable, they could be hand made with love, created from modern plastics or be made from natural materials by other cultures collected on your travels. Diamonds are also acceptable of course.” Curator Bree Hiatt is looking to speaking to anyone in the Clarence Valley that may have items of jewellery suitable to contribute to the exhibition. Please contact her via email bree.hiatt@bigpond.com or by phone 6642 3177. “I am open to anything people wish to share with me and show me. Every piece of jewellery has a story to tell. From the person who wore it, to the reason it was bought or made or to the material is was made with.” Pieces could include rings, watches, brooches, necklaces, bangles, earrings or even jewellery boxes. Photographs and paintings of people wearing jewellery are also being sought. Items that have engaging stories to tell and that will resonate with the public will be of particular interest to the curator for the exhibition display. History of Jewellery in the Valley will be on display at the Grafton Regional Gallery from 3 February until 13 March 2016 in the Loft Gallery.