About Paolo Vena
Paolo Vena, a professional jewelry designer, is the founder and owner of Paolo Vena Design. His office/workshop is conveniently located in a building at the center of the Montreal jewelry trade on 620 Cathcart in Montreal, at the corner of Cathcart and Union Street. (The building, otherwise known as the Jewelry building or the Birks Building, was built in 1920. It was originally occupied by Birks and has since been a prime place of business for many prominent jewelers for decades.)
After graduating from high school in 1983, Paolo listened to his heart and pursued his quest to learn more about the art of jewelry and design. This led him to enroll in Montreal’s École des Métiers de l’Est, where he learned about the theory and practice behind the trade of jewelry making, the science behind gemology, soldering, and polishing, as well as goldsmithing. While at l’École des Métiers de l’Est, Paolo specialized in sculpture making and sculpting techniques, which later became his signature trade. In fact, in the industry, Paolo Vena became a master craftsperson, well known to his former professors who regularly sent their own students to him so they could receive the benefits of what he had learned, in order to perfect their own techniques.
After graduating from l’Ecole des Metiers de l’Est in 1985, Paolo went on to study gemology at College Maisonneuve. He studied part-time in the evenings, and soon began to work as a jeweler for the Montreal Birks Company, where he began his career in 1986. There, Paolo created jewelry for 2 years. During the year of 1985, Paolo also travelled to Ponte-Vecchio, Florence (Italy) for a few weeks. There he participated in workshops led by world-renowned masters who taught him traditional and innovative methods of jewelry making.
Paolo has 20 years of overall teaching experience at Saidye Bronfman Centre School of Fine Arts and Ecole de joaillerie de montréal.
Paolo has 20 years of overall teaching experience at Saidye Bronfman Centre School of Fine Arts and Ecole de joaillerie de montréal.
In 1988, Paolo set out to design and create fine custom jewelry, and founded Paolo Vena Design. Over the years, Paolo succeeded in attaining clients and completing projects for companies like les Grand Ballets de Montréal (Paolo made custom jewelry and pins for the History of les Grands Ballets fundraising events from 1998-2000), l’Opéra de Montreal (made custom masks and pins for the Phantom of the Opera fund raising event), Star Wish Foundation and Mount Royal Commemorative Services. During the 1990’s, Rio Tinto Alcan commissioned Paolo Vena, to design a silver pendant/necklace, inspired by the drawing of a twelve-year-old elementary school student, for Paralympics Gold medalist Chantal Petitclerc. After winning her first gold, Rio Tinto Alcan commissioned Paolo to design the same pendant/necklace once again, but this time in gold. This necklace was considered to be a good luck charm for Ms. Petitclerc, and was worn during her competitions worldwide.
Over the years, Paolo Vena also shared his knowledge of jewelry making and experience by teaching at the Saidye Bronfman Center. He taught wax sculpting and was the Head of the Jewelry Department there from 1991 to 2006. Paolo also had the pleasure to work alongside numerous European and Canadian jewelers who represent companies such as Henry Birks & Sons, Cartier, George Schwartz (jeweler for Lady Diana) and Gabriel Luca.
Paolo Vena worked in jewellery with numerous European and Canadian jewellers since 1983, among which is Henry Birks & Sons in Montreal. As a polyvalent jeweller, he mastered silversmithing and stone setting. Established on his own since 1987, he specialises in was modelling for jewellery.
Paolo Vena worked in jewellery with numerous European and Canadian jewellers since 1983, among which is Henry Birks & Sons in Montreal. As a polyvalent jeweller, he mastered silversmithing and stone setting. Established on his own since 1987, he specialises in was modelling for jewellery.
Currently, Paolo is a member of Business Networking International (BNI), l’Association Montréalaise de Jelsi, Voitures Européennes d’Autrefois, and the MGB English Car Club. He has twenty years of overall teaching and working experience, is currently teaching classes at L’école de Joaollerie de Montréal, and continues to work from his office/workshop on Cathcart.
Paolo is a member of Association Montréalaise De Jelsi, Business Networking International, Voitures Européennes d’Autrefois and MGB English Car Club.
Paolo is a member of Association Montréalaise De Jelsi, Business Networking International, Voitures Européennes d’Autrefois and MGB English Car Club.
Paolo Vena can be reached Monday to Friday (usually to Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 514.861.5987. His studio is located at 620 Cathcart Street, Suite 664, Montreal, Quebec H3B 1M1. Calling to book an appointment is recommended.