Since 2004 Michael Bloomstein Precious Metals have sponsored the University of Brighton metal department with a prize for graduates and a gift of silver for use in a project. Each year the work exhibited is of a high standard and reflects credit on the students and teachers of the University of Brighton.

The sponsorship is very important to us - the gift of silver for the project is instrumental in introducing the students to silver and establishing their confidence in using it and the prize helps them when they graduate to move into a professional life using silver. The silver project has developed over the years to become a Masterclass and Lecture, a highlight of the final year, being led by well-known and emerging jewellers and silversmiths, such as David Clarke, Lucian Taylor and Lina Peterson. The students perceive silver to be an expensive material and this sponsorship allows them to jump that hurdle and start to experiment freely and develop an ongoing relationship with it. As a result, increasing numbers of students have chosen to work with silver for their final graduation exhibition. The Michael Bloomstein Prize is awarded for the best use of silver in the graduating exhibitions and it has become an enjoyable annual event to walk around with Michael discussing the imaginative use of silver. Michael, a keen craftsman in wood, is always fascinated by the inventive ways in which silver is combined with other materials such as wood, plastics and ceramics. The prize has enabled graduates to begin a collection of work in their first steps in the professional world - some establish their own workshops such as Eve Claire Taylor, who won the prize in 2008, and others go on to study for a postgraduate at Royal College of Art, such as Max Warren who won the prize in 2006. The prize gave him the chance to raise in silver and begin a series of bowls, one of which was purchased for the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, and to begin what is proving to be a successful career.Cynthia Cousens, Senior Lecturer at University of Brighton, MDes/MFA and BA Hons Materials Practice, (Wood Metal, Ceramics, Plastics)

It's an amazing opportunity and has definitely encouraged me to continue with my work in silver ... The shop has been crucial to my work and I will hopefully be a continuing customer.Charlotte Stuart prize winner 2009

Winning the Bloomstein award gave me a huge confidence boost; it helped me to decide that I could pursue a career in silver. The gift of metal meant that I could start work on new pieces straight after my degree and build on the momentum gained at college.Max Warren prize winner 2006, Cynthia Cousens, Senior Lecturer Area Leader for Metals Programme of 3D Design and Materials Practice, University of Brighton