Photo Diary… Production Managers
The Production Managers from JamFactory’s Glass, Ceramics, Metal and Furniture studios are accomplished artists and designers in their own right. Currently showing at JamFactory Adelaide’s Retail Shop is From Left Field, an exhibition that showcases their personal work and the collaborative opportunities that result from working in a creative hub.
Catch a day in the life through the eyes of these talented artists as they prepare for the exhibition.
Photos shot on film by Andrew Carvolth, Alice Potter, David Pedler, Liam Fleming and friends.
Images left to right: Ode to ponti; Studio still life, AP Chair; Foundry still life, ingot stacks; Mould pour/ mould leak; Greg adding sodium before pouring aluminium; Port Adelaide; Sketching, coffee; Old bricks, new bricks; Me in furniture studio 2019; Handle like eggs; Studio still life, terra-cotta, Aluminum castings.
ANDREW CARVOLTH
CRAFTSPERSON / DESIGNER
PRODUCTION MANAGER - FURNITURE STUDIO
Best part about your job?
Constant problem solving and being surrounded by passionate people. Doing the things I love.
In my studio (description of studio, what you do in there, what we could find in there):
My studio is an up to date snap shot of all the things I am currently working on. Prototypes, patterns, jigs, moulds, wood and other materials of interest.
How has working at JamFactory pushed or influenced your practice?
Jam has really broadened my perspective on craft, and given me these really intimate moments to be apart interesting cross pollination between disciplines. Pattern making, turning blow moulds for glass, making plugs for slip casting or venturing into new materials and process through the skills I already understand.
Images left to right: We built the studio ourselves, and my partner Andy and his landscaping-genius has made my window view a lush oasis (I’m the brown thumb in the family!); My [messy] happy place; i love surrounding myself with other people's art; whether they're purchased, given or swapped, they're always a great source of inspiration; Sitting at the bench making is only part of the job; there is a lot of paperwork work to be done! Invoices, designs, emails and general life admin all make up sections of my day; I wake up at 5:15am every weekday and go to the gym to do a 45 minutes session at V2. It makes my days start with awesome people and good endorphins!; Coffee is usually my first treat of the day, and always out of my Ulrica Trulsson cups (and tea from my Connie Augoustinos or Kerryn Levy mugs! :)). On days I have the kids with me there is a lot of honey toast being dropped on the floor too; I have used powder coating in my work for a number of years and even though Les at Central Powder Coaters claims to be retiring “any day now! I won’t be around forever!” he’s still a legend and gets all our work done with speed and quality (and hopefully for a few more years to come!); Iit doesn't matter how many times a week i go to the supermarket, i will never have bought enough bananas.
ALICE POTTER
ARTIST / JEWELLER
PRODUCTION MANAGER - JEWELLERY AND METAL STUDIO
Best part about your job?
I started working at JamFactory in 2012 and love how every week/month/year is different; new commissions, new jobs, new product and new and interesting people coming through all the time. I love the people I work with and the sense of community we all share. And the swaps - I have never had so much amazing art and functional craft in my house before! I think I own tumblers from over 15 different glass artists! Best of all I really do enjoy the connections I make with the people in the building and the mentoring/advice/friendship I can give to the Associates [and my colleagues and tenants alike], and also all the things I can learn and have learnt in return.
In my studio:
In my studio you will find something from every op shop and garage sale from the past 15 years. I am a hoarder and love colour, textiles, glitter, beads and sequins, so my shelves are jam packed with a 12 year old's crafternoon dream. I also love gold and stones [interesting diamonds, sapphires and rubies etc]. I love the process of lost-wax casting so I often make all my pieces in wax form first then cast them in precious metals. I am messy when I'm busy but know that I need a clean space to have a clear head, which means I have to periodically force myself to tidy up!
How has working at JamFactory pushed or influenced your practice?
Working at Jam has encouraged me to be open about how I make my work, and what compromises I need to consider and be at peace with, to make successful work and run a viable business. I never liked outsourcing but realise that I can't do everything, so I need to trust others to work with me for the end result. I have learnt through colleagues how to manage expectations and deliver results without the anxiety that can come along with highly stressful timelines and deliverables. Working at JamFactory has also shown me the possibilities of what I can juggle with the help of those around me and in the awesome community we have there.
Images left to right: Bird in the hand; Finishing a glass cloud sculpture. My partner Meg Caslake and I have run our own hot glass studio for the last 26 years; Bird in the house. Pee-wees prefer cheddar; My ride to work along the river; Spray-glazing a large bowl; Loading a kiln for a cone 10 firing. The work is for Leigh St Wine Bar and Waringarri Aboriginal Arts; View from the kitchen. The wall-to-wall bitumen we moved into 4 years ago is slowly being replaced by garden.
DAVID PEDLER
CERAMIC AND GLASS ARTIST
PRODUCTION MANAGER - CERAMICS STUDIO
Best part about your job?
I think I’m pretty damn lucky to be working at JamFactory, in a building full of talented and dedicated people. My day starts well enough when I ride my bike to work through the parklands and along the river - a very pleasant commute! I’m lucky to have a job in my area of training and expertise and to work in such a creative field, but maybe the best part of my job is working with all the talented and dedicated Associates and tenants, who are bursting with ideas and enthusiasm.
In my studio:
Out the back, in my home studio, we have a glass furnace and sometimes I think that’s a bit amazing that we actually melt glass in our backyard! Sometimes at night, it’s terrifying and it feels like a fire-breathing monster glowing and roaring. It’s a bit more placid in the daylight, and it looks a bit “Heath Robinson,” as I built it a while ago, but it does the job.
How has working at JamFactory pushed or influenced your practice?JamFactory has been pivotal in my life and career as a maker. From when I first rented space in the Ceramics Studio at the original Jam on Payneham Rd in 1991, to meeting my partner, Meg Caslake, a glass blower, in 1992 at the current Jam on Morphett Street. Through their retail shops, JamFactory has been selling my work for 30 years, helping me make a living from my craft. I have also been employed part-time as the Production Manager in the Ceramics Studio for the last eight years now. So, I would say that the Jam has been a huge influence on my life, and that’s what I would hope it will be for all the Associates who come here to create.
