Established in 1973 as a visionary initiative of the South Australian government, there is still no other organisation in Australia that can rival the breadth and scope of its activities and promotion of contemporary craft and design. Through its training programs, studios, galleries, and shops it has nurtured and supported the careers of hundreds of artists, craftspeople and designers.
The original JamFactory was established as a craft training workshop in an old jam factory on Payneham Road, St Peters, and was home to a gallery, shop and artist studios practicing glass, ceramics, leather, textiles, and jewellery design. In 1992, JamFactory moved to its current facility in the heart of Adelaide’s West End Creative Precinct. The textile and leather workshops closed, jewellery expanded to include metal design and a furniture design studio was launched. In 2013 JamFactory launched a satellite site at Seppeltsfield estate in the Barossa Valley. Housed in the estate’s architecturally restored historic horse stables, the site provides an exhibition space, shop and studio spaces for local artisans, from knife making and millinery, to glass and leather.
At the core of JamFactory are the four studios in Ceramics, Glass, Furniture, and Jewellery/Metal that provide a skills and business Associate Program for artists and designers. As well as developing local talent, the studios attract outstanding artists and designers from around Australia and across the globe.
The organisation provides an important public interface between professional art, craft, and design practitioners and the wider public. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about and be inspired by the curated exhibition program and can watch artists in action in the on-site studios.
Celebrations for the 50th anniversary will take place across the year with exhibitions and special events as well as limited edition products including a tote bag featuring custom artwork by Billie Justice Thomson and a colourful Kink Oil Bottle.
Key exhibitions:
New Exuberance: contemporary Australian textile design – a national tour to 12 venues
Gold: 50 Years 50 Alumni – JamFactory Adelaide, 21 Jul – 17 Sep
2023 Tarnanthi Festival – JamFactory Adelaide and Barossa, 6 Oct – Dec
FUSE Glass Artist Residency – Carrick Hill, 4 Nov – 28 Jan
