JamFactory

{{short description|Design studios in Adelaide with galleries, shops and training facilities}}

JamFactory (formerly spelt Jam Factory) is a not-for-profit arts organisation which includes training facilities, galleries and shops, located in the West End precinct of Adelaide and on the Seppeltsfield Estate in the Barossa Valley, north of Adelaide. It is supported by the South Australian Government, University of South Australia, and private donors. It was founded in 1973 in an old jam factory in the suburb of St Peters. It runs training courses and specialises in high quality craft and design objects, including furniture, jewellery, ceramics, glass, and metal ware.

History

JamFactory was established as a craft training workshop by the Dunstan government, housed in an old jam factory on Payneham Road, in the suburb of St Peters. It was officially opened in November 1974. It was created as a not-for-profit undertaking, and included areas for making glass, jewellery, textiles, and leather work. It also had a gallery and shop. In the early days, ceramicist Margaret Dodd created her series This woman is not a car at the studios at the back, which used to flood during heavy rain.{{cite web | last=Keen | first=Suzie | title=Then and now: JamFactory looks to a new golden era | website=InReview | date=1 September 2023 | url=https://inreview.com.au/inreview/design/2023/09/01/then-and-now-jamfactory-looks-to-a-new-golden-era/ | access-date=3 September 2023}}

The ceramics studio opened in 1979, with Jeff Mincham as creative director (1979-1982), followed by Bronwyn Kemp (1983-1988), Peter Anderson (1989-1990), Stephen Bowers (1990-1999), Neville Assad-Salha (1999-2003), Philip Hart (2006-2008), Robin Best (2008-2010) and Damon Moon (2014-2018).{{cite news |website=Flickr| url=https://www.flickr.com/groups/1281707@N21/discuss/72157637580887096/|title=Jam Factory|first=Judith|last=Pearce|access-date=3 August 2019}}

In 1992 JamFactory moved to a purpose-built building in the West End creative precinct of Adelaide city,{{cite web|url=https://www.jamfactory.com.au/about|website=JamFactory|title=About|access-date=26 April 2019}} on Morphett Street in close proximity to the Lion Arts Centre and Mercury Cinema. At the same time it shifted its focus slightly, with the closure of the textile and leather workshops, and the expansion of the jewellery workshop into a metal design studio. A space for making furniture was created, and wider commercial opportunities pursued.

In 2009 the retail area was refurbished to designs by Khai Liew, and a second shop was opened at Seppeltsfield winery in the Barossa Valley. As part of a major interior refurbishment in 2014, the Adelaide Casino commissioned hand-crafted glass light pendants from a team of 12 artists at the JamFactory, which would be hung from the ceiling of the {{AUD|5 million}} plus SKYroom. Each pendant, worth nearly {{AUD|2,000}}, weighs about {{convert|5 |kg|lbs}}.{{cite news|publisher=The Advertiser |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/jamfactory-glass-artists-score-big-wins-in-adelaide-casino-contract/news-story/7577ac6e7e68cba7ef3f3426642a1034|title=JamFactory glass artists score big wins in Adelaide Casino contract|website=Adelaide Now|date=6 April 2014|first=Valerina|last= Changarathil|access-date=3 August 2019}}

In July 2017 it received public funding of {{AUD|490,000}} towards a new retail store and increased production capacity at its West End studios, after having increased its turnover by 55% in the previous five years at both locations. They had increased their staff and also been hiring out the studios to independent artists. The planned purchase of a new {{convert|450|kg|lbs}} furnace for the glass studio, would increase its capacity by a third. It was also planning to open a new retail store in the North Terrace cultural precinct.{{cite news|publisher=InDaily|url=https://indaily.com.au/arts-and-culture/2017/07/11/jamfactory-designs-new-store/|title=JamFactory has designs on a new store|date=11 July 2017|first=Suzie|last=Keen|access-date=3 August 2019}}

Between 1993 and 2018, JamFactory's funding was managed by Arts South Australia, but under the Marshall government, its governance was moved in 2018 to the Department of Innovation and Skills.{{cite web|website=South Australia. Dept of Innovation and Skills|url=https://innovationandskills.sa.gov.au/creative-industries|title=Creative Industries|access-date=27 July 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://aicsa.net.au/state-budget-sees-cuts-to-the-arts-and-significant-changes-to-arts-south-australia/|title=State Budget Sees Cuts to the Arts and Significant Changes to Arts South Australia|work=AICSA - Arts Industry Council of South Australia|access-date=2018-09-16}}

Designers Daniel To and Emma Aiston, who had previously run an arts studio known as "Daniel Emma" together since 2008, took over as creative directors of JamFactory at the beginning of 2019. At the same time, a collaboration between JamFactory and the National Gallery of Victoria’s Melbourne NGV Design store was begun, to retail the "Good Morning" collection of designer homewares.{{cite journal|journal =Adelaide Review |url=https://www.adelaidereview.com.au/form/design-form/jamfactory-daniel-emma/ |title=JamFactory appoints new creative directors|first=Walter|last=Marsh|date=22 March 2019|access-date=3 August 2019}}{{cite web|website=National Gallery of Victoria Design Store |url=https://store.ngv.vic.gov.au/collections/all/daniel-emma|title=Daniel Emma collection|access-date=3 August 2019}}

=Changes of name=

JamFactory has been known by a series of names:{{cite web | title=JamFactory Contemporary Craft and Design Adelaide, S.A. |format= library catalogue entry| website=Trove | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/people/1306680 | access-date=18 September 2023}}

Jam Factory Craft Centre (1973–1986/7)
Jam Factory Workshops (1986/7–1991/1992)
Jam Factory Craft and Design Centre (1991/1992–1997)
JamFactory (briefly Jam Factory) Contemporary Craft and Design (1997–present)

Description

The city location is at 19 Morphett Street, next door to the Mercury Cinema and Lion Arts Centre. Four studios provide programs in ceramics, jewellery-making and fine metalwork, glass-making and furniture-making. There are also independent studio spaces for emerging artists, a shop specialising in high quality craft and design objects. JamFactory also collaborates with other organisations, architects and designers on specially commissioned work and projects. It commissions work, functions as a publisher and runs workshops.{{cite web|publisher=Adelaide Design Review|url=https://www.australiandesignreview.com/objects/forty-years-at-the-jamfactory/|title=Forty years at the JamFactory|quote=originally published in Inside, issue 76: The ‘Out of Town’ issue|date=24 April 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804062447/https://www.australiandesignreview.com/objects/forty-years-at-the-jamfactory/| archive-date=4 August 2019|access-date=3 August 2019}}

The Seppeltsfield studio and shop opened in 2013 as a regional extension, to support local craftspeople and as a tourism offering. It is housed in an historic 1850s stables building, which has been extensively renovated.{{cite web|url=https://www.seppeltsfield.com.au/index.php/experience/craft-design-and-beauty/jam-factory-at-seppeltsfield|website=Seppeltsfield|title=JamFactory at Seppeltsfield|access-date=26 April 2019}}

Directors To and Aiston describe JamFactory as "an institution is not only iconic but is a unique place where skilled traditional craftspeople mix their expertise within a curated and design focussed environment which can’t be compared to anything else in the country”.

Training

The JamFactory's Associate Training Program provides training in ceramics, glass, furniture or metal. It comprises a foundation year, with the option to apply for a second year working semi-independently.{{cite web | title=Associate Program | website=JamFactory | date=25 August 2022 | url=https://www.jamfactory.com.au/associate-program | access-date=18 September 2023}} [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b17732de17ba33546965817/t/64dd81fe99daf50d9c33e8c8/1692238345807/Associate+Program+Booklet+2024.pdf Jamfactory Associate Program] The course teaches the relevant technical skills necessary for their craft as well as the essential business skills required to run a creative practice. Many alumni, such as Clare Belfrage, creative director of the Canberra Glassworks from 2009 to 2013,{{cite web|website=Clare Belfrage|url=http://www.clarebelfrage.com/about|title=About|access-date=3 August 2019}} have become internationally-known and influential designer-makers.

People

Nick Mount, who was one of the first group of artists to take up glassblowing in Australia in the early 1970s, was appointed head of JamFactory' s Glass Studio in 1994, and led it through the 1990s.{{cite web | title=Feature.. Gathering Light | website=JamFactory | date=4 November 2024 | url=https://www.jamfactory.com.au/marmalade/2024/feature-gathering-light | access-date=3 May 2025}} Karen Cunningham was creative director of the Glass Studio from 2012 to 2019.{{cite web | title=About | website=Karen Cunningham | date=1 January 1970 | url=https://www.karen-cunningham.com/about | access-date=3 May 2025}}

Since 2010 and {{as of|September 2023|lc=yes}}, the CEO is Brian Parkes. Under his tenure, the number of staff has doubled, from around 40 to over 80 people.

Alumni and artists who have worked at the JamFactory include:

Margaret Dodd
Clare Belfrage
Honor Freeman
Kirsten Coelho
Khai Liew
Peter Andersson
Bronwyn Kemp
Christopher Headley
Lorraine Lee
Nicola Purcell

FUSE Glass Prize

After the demise of the Ranamok Glass Prize after 20 years in 2014, supporters Jim and Helen Carreker collaborated with JamFactory to create a new award for glass artists. In 2016 the FUSE Glass Prize was established, funded by the Carrekers, along with Diana Laidlaw and other private donors. It continues to be supported by them, along with new private donors.{{cite web |title=About |website=FUSE |url=https://www.fuseglassprize.com/about |access-date=8 October 2024}}

JamFactory presents the biennial FUSE Glass Prize, a non-acquisitive prize worth {{AUD|20,000}} open to Australian and New Zealand glass artists. It also awards the David Henshall Emerging Artist Prize, worth {{AUD|5,000}} in cash and also offering professional development at JamFactory worth around the same. Twelve established artists and six emerging artists are selected as finalists, with their work exhibited at JamFactory, the ANU School of Art & Design Gallery in Canberra, and the Australian Design Centre in Sydney.{{cite web |title=FUSE Glass Prize |website=ANU School of Art & Design|date=2024 |url=https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/events/fuse-glass-prize |access-date=8 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008100102/https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/events/fuse-glass-prize| archive-date= 8 Oct 2024|url-status= live}}

Winners of the main FUSE Glass Prize include:{{cite web |title=Previous Years |website=FUSE |date=13 July 2022 |url=https://www.fuseglassprize.com/previousyears |access-date=9 October 2024}}

2016: Clare Belfrage{{cite web |title=FUSE Glass Prize 2016 |website=FUSE |date=23 September 2021 |url=https://www.fuseglassprize.com/previousyears/fuse-glass-prize-2016 |access-date=9 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Clare Belfrage winner of inaugural 2016 Fuse Glass Prize |website=sabbia gallery |date=1 June 2016 |url=https://sabbiagallery.com/2016/06/clare-belfrage-winner-of-inaugural-2016-fuse-glass-prize/ |access-date=9 October 2024}}
2018: Jessica Loughlin{{cite web |title=FUSE Glass Prize 2018 |website=FUSE |date=24 September 2021 |url=https://www.fuseglassprize.com/previousyears/fuse-glass-prize-2016-ahjs8 |access-date=9 October 2024}}
2020: Cobi Cockburn{{cite web |title=Congratulations to Cobi Cockburn The 2020 FUSE Glass Prize Winner |website=sabbia gallery |date=19 September 2020 |url=https://sabbiagallery.com/2020/09/congratulations-to-cobi-cockburn-the-2020-fuse-glass-prize-winner/ |access-date=9 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=FUSE Glass Prize 2020 |website=Australian Design Centre |url=https://australiandesigncentre.com/past-exhibitions-and-events/fuse-glass-prize/ |access-date=9 October 2024}}{{cite web |last=Fairley |first=Gina |title=Visual Art Review: Fuse Glass Prize and Seed Stitch Textile Award (ADC) |website=ArtsHub Australia |date=27 October 2020 |url=https://www.artshub.com.au/news/reviews/visual-art-review-fuse-glass-prize-and-seed-stitch-textile-award-adc-261325-2368895/ |access-date=9 October 2024}}
2022: Matthew Curtis{{cite web |title=FUSE Glass Prize 2022 |website=Australian Design Centre |url=https://australiandesigncentre.com/past-exhibitions-and-events/fuse-glass-prize-2022/ |access-date=9 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=FUSE Glass Prize 2022 |website=FUSE |date=13 July 2022 |url=https://www.fuseglassprize.com/previousyears/fuse-glass-prize-2016-ahjs8-dwm8r-sl3r6 |access-date=9 October 2024}}
2024: Tom Moore{{cite web |title=Green Room: 'The longer you look the more Moore you see' |website=InReview |date=16 May 2024 |url=https://inreview.com.au/inreview/2024/05/16/green-room-the-longer-you-look-the-more-moore-you-see/ |access-date=9 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Winners of prestigious 2024 FUSE Glass Prize announced |website=Australian Arts Review |date=15 May 2024 |url=https://artsreview.com.au/winners-of-prestigious-2024-fuse-glass-prize-announced/ |access-date=9 October 2024}}

Winners of the emerging artist prize (named David Henshall Emerging Artist Prize from 2020):

2016: Alex Valero{{cite web |title=Profile... Alex Valero |website=JamFactory |date=19 May 2021 |url=https://www.jamfactory.com.au/marmalade/profile-alex-valero-fuse |access-date=9 October 2024}}
2018: Ursula Halpin
2020: Madisyn Zabel
2022: Bronte Cormican-Jones
2024: Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan

Selected exhibitions and events

=''Icon'' series=

JamFactory hosts an annual solo exhibition in a series known as Icon exhibitions. These exhibitions celebrate the most influential South Australian artists who work in crafts-based media. These exhibitions include:{{cite web |title=JamFactory Icon |website=JamFactory |date=26 July 2024 |url=https://www.jamfactory.com.au/lifetime-honourees-copy |access-date=6 October 2024}}

2013: Stephen Bowers: Beyond Bravura
2014: Nick Mount: The Fabric of Work
2015: Giles Bettison: Pattern and Perception
2016: Gerry Wedd: Kistchen Man
2017: Catherine Truman: no surface holds
2018: Clare Belfrage: A Measure of Time
2019: Angela Valamanesh: About Being Here
2020: Tom Moore: Abundant Wonder
2021: Kunmanara Carroll: Ngaylu Nyanganyi Ngura Winki (I Can See All Those Places)
2022: Jessica Loughlin: Of Light

=Other exhibitions and events=

26 March – 8 May 2011: A Fine Line - Glass Meets Art Exhibition, in collaboration with the Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing (IPAS) at the University of Adelaide, displaying the technique and processes behind the making of glass art as well as the glass that underpins new technologies{{cite web|website=University of Adelaide|url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news43701.html|title=Art meets science in JamFactory glass exhibition|date=22 March 2011|access-date=3 August 2019}}
April – June 2013, the JamFactory hosted an exhibition featuring the work of its alumni, entitled Designing Craft/Crafting Design: 40 Years of JamFactory.
26 April 2015: Special event celebrating food, wine, and design, showcasing the products of 12 Glynde food and wine businesses, in collaboration with the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters{{cite web|website=GlamAdelaide|url=https://glamadelaide.com.au/food-secrets-of-glynde-shared-at-the-jamfactory/|title=Food Secrets of Glynde shared at the JamFactory|first=Kellie|last=Algie|date=4 May 2015|access-date=3 August 2019}}
October–December 2018: Adelaide Modern, in collaboration with the University of South Australia, a three-part exploration of furniture design, including exhibits by design students at UniSA{{cite journal |journal=Adelaide Review|url=https://www.adelaidereview.com.au/form/design-form/jamfactorys-adelaide-modern/|title=JamFactory's Adelaide Modern|first=Nathan James|last=Crane|date=2 November 2018|access-date=3 August 2019}}
September 2023: GOLD: 50 Years 50 JamFactory Alumni{{cite web | title=Exhibition Insight... GOLD: 50 Years 50 JamFactory Alumni |first=Rebecca |last=Freezer| website=JamFactory | date=30 August 2023 | url=https://www.jamfactory.com.au/marmalade/2023/exhibition-insight-gold-50-years-50-jamfactory-alumni | access-date=18 September 2023}}
December 2024 to March 2025: Gathering Light, exhibiting the work of leading SA artists curated by Brian Parkes: Nick Mount, Liam Fleming, Tim Edwards, Kristel Britcher, Clare Belfrage, and Jessica Murtagh; developed in association with the Chihuly in the Botanic Garden exhibition, highlighting links between Adelaide and the Pilchuck Glass School{{cite web | title=Gathering Light: You’ll be blown away by these glass works |first= John| last= Neylon| website=InDaily | date=11 December 2024 | url=https://www.indailysa.com.au/inreview/visual-art/2024/12/11/gathering-light-youll-be-blown-away-by-these-glass-works | access-date=30 April 2025}}

References

Category:1973 establishments in Australia

Category:Crafts educators

Category:Jewellery retailers of Australia

Category:Barossa Valley

Category:20th-century Australian artists