Exhibition Insight... GOLD: 50 Years 50 JamFactory Alumni

Since its establishment in 1973, JamFactory has nurtured and supported countless talented artists, craftspeople, and designers, paving the way for their successful and sustainable careers. Initially founded as a craft-training workshop in a former jam factory on Payneham Road, St Peters, JamFactory relocated to its purpose-built Morphett Street site within Adelaide’s vibrant West End Creative Precinct in 1992.

JamFactory Associates, formerly known as Trainees in the 1970s and 1980s, are emerging artists and designers specialising in glass, furniture, ceramics, and jewellery/metal. The Associate training program provides them with access to specialised facilities, professional mentoring, and significant career development opportunities over a span of 1-2 years. Each Associate becomes an integral part of the dynamic and creative community that is JamFactory during their tenure and beyond.

In 2023, JamFactory proudly commemorates its 50th anniversary by presenting GOLD: 50 Years 50 JamFactory Alumni. This exhibition serves as a testament to the remarkable achievements of JamFactory’s training programs, showcasing the exceptional work of 50 distinguished alumni. This group is made up of educators; business owners; bearers of craft lineages and creative couplings; recipients of prestigious fellowships, art prizes and design awards, and practitioners whose works are represented in major public collections or by renowned commercial galleries.

Exhibitors: Peter Andersson, Danielle Barrie, Clare Belfrage, Gabriella Bisetto, Annette Blair, Kristel Britcher, Gareth Brown, Andrew Carvolth, Rhys Cooper, Amanda Dziedzic, Caren Elliss, Lesa Farrant, Gretal Ferguson, Liam Fleming, Honor Freeman, Susan Frost, Sam Gold, Eileen Gordon, Zoe Grigoris, Philip Hart, Katie-Ann Houghton, Kath Inglis, Takeshi Iue, Courtney Jackson, Stephanie James-Manttan, Michelle Kelly, Bronwyn Kemp, Erin Keys, Kerryn Levy, Danielle Lo, Tom Moore, Jason Moss, Liam Mugavin, Belinda Newick, Anne-Claire Petre, Adrian Potter, Madeline Prowd, Sarah Rothe, Brenden Scott French, Lauren Simeoni, Alison Smiles, Drew Spangenberg, Ivana Taylor, Sarra Tzijan, Dean Toepfer, Ulrica Trulsson, Janice Vitkovsky, Hannah Vorrath-Pajak and Leonie Westbrook.

WORDS BY REBECCA FREEZER

VIEW THE CATALOGUE

Peter Andersson

Ceramics Trainee 1979-1980

Peter Andersson considers the teapot to be the ultimate goal for potters, symbolising everything he aims for in his craft. In his work Two Sugars Please... 2023 he combines artistic expression with practicality by embracing the once technically complex process of creating teapots. As one of the initial trainees of the Ceramics Workshop under Jeff Mincham, Andersson later became the Head of Studio (1989-1990). He maintains his connection with JamFactory by teaching glaze development to the next generation of Ceramics Studio Associates.

“I have been very fortunate to be involved in some small way or another with JamFactory for around 45 years. This most unique of organisations that in turn nurtures us, frustrates us, encourages us, celebrates us, also needs to be nurtured, encouraged and celebrated.”

Bronwyn Kemp

Ceramics Trainee 1979-1980

In the making of Golden Potatoes on Toast, Bronwyn Kemp’s experimentation with iron pyrites (also known as “fool’s gold”) unexpectedly resulted in captivating golden formations resembling roasted potatoes on toast. The transformative process symbolises the duality of gold, it can represent both triumph and folly. Kemp, a graduate of East Sydney Technical College and one of the inaugural participants in the JamFactory Ceramics Workshop, would later become its Head of Studio (1983-1988). Kemp now teaches at the National Art School in Sydney and her works are held in public gallery collections including the AGSA, AGWA and NGV.

Eileen Gordon

Glass Trainee 1982-1984

Eileen Gordon, co-founder of Gordon Studio Glassblowers in the Mornington Peninsula, carries on her family’s celebrated tradition of creating unique and intricate Art Glass. Inspired by her parents’ work, she underwent comprehensive glassmaking education in the UK before immigrating to Australia in the 1980s. Gordon’s pieces reflect her mastery of the challenging medium, combining skilful craftsmanship with elegant simplicity. Continuing the artistic lineage, her two sons, Hamish and Calum Donaldson, also pursued their passion for glass art as JamFactory Glass Studio Associates.

Philip Hart

Ceramics Trainee 1986-1987

Philip Hart has been working with clay and making pottery in Adelaide for over 30 years, producing decorative functional works and hand-built sculptural pieces. Hart’s contributions to the JamFactory Ceramics Studio as Studio Technician and Creative Director have been significant. He co-founded the Jamboree Clay Workshop (1991-2003) with fellow ceramicists Jo Crawford, Peter Johnson, and Gerry Wedd, leaving a lasting impact on the local ceramic scene. Additionally, Hart has shared his expertise through part-time lecturing at Adelaide College of the Arts and UniSA. His Chip n Dip bowls featured in this exhibition contain familiar motifs like a skull and crossbones and gold inlay. When using gold lustre in ceramics making Hart warns: “Be careful, it’s dangerous. You’ll end up becoming addicted to it!”

Gabriella Bisetto

Glass Associate 1990-1992

Gabriella Bisetto is a prominent Australian glass artist and a senior lecturer in Contemporary Art at UniSA. She has captivated audiences nationally and internationally with her exploration of glass as a medium to visualise and reinterpret the intricacies of the human body. With expertise in manipulating molten glass to craft sculptural vessels and creating minimalist forms through hot sculpting, Bisetto’s work is held in public collections including the NGV, AGSA and AGWA. In 2016 she was awarded the prestigious Tom Malone Prize.

Clare Belfrage

Glass Associate 1991-1992

Clare Belfrage’s compositions invite contemplation and a sense of wonder, transporting viewers into a world where glass becomes a canvas for the exploration of beauty, fragility, and the interconnectedness of nature. Each work in GOLD was blown at JamFactory’s Morphett Street Glass Studio with the assistance of JamFactory staff and alumni. Belfrage is an esteemed artist, recognised as the inaugural FUSE Glass Prize recipient in 2016 and a two-time winner of the Tom Malone Glass Prize (2011, 2005). Belfrage holds an Adjunct Professor position at the University of South Australia and has held significant industry roles, including Creative Director of Canberra Glassworks. Her extensive exhibition history and inclusion in major public collections worldwide solidify her status as a respected and influential artist.

Jason Moss

Metal Design Associate 1991-1992

Jason Moss is a jeweller based in Port Macquarie, NSW. Working primarily with silver, gold, and precious stones, he creates collections inspired by urban experiences, focusing on minimalist designs that emphasise the beauty of the materials. From his studio and shopfront, Moss produces limited edition and bespoke jewellery. Additionally, Moss has recently ventured into badge-making, recognising and elevating the countercultural significance of this humble accessory. His exceptional craftsmanship has attracted clients like Kylie Minogue and Harry Styles.

Tom Moore

Glass Associate 1995-1996

Tom Moore is a glass artist based in Adelaide, who breathes life into eccentric hybrid glass specimens and dreamscape dioramas using traditional and innovative techniques. His installations offer hopeful and entertaining experiences, exploring themes like nature triumphing over industry. With a strong connection to ancient craft and recognition in Australian contemporary art surveys, Moore’s work has received major

glass-art prizes and can be found in prominent public collections. His 3-year touring JamFactory ICON exhibition Abundant Wonder closes in September 2023. For GOLD Tom has recast some of his greatest hits, including Shiny Hooligan and Nugget. According to Tom:

“JamFactory has been central to my life trajectory: from training in (the golden age of) the mid-90s to an established career and recognition within a supportive interconnected community. It is a great honour to be a part of this commemoration.”

Lesa Farrant

Ceramics Associate 1995-1996

Lesa Farrant, drawn to Adelaide for the JamFactory Associate program, found her artistic home and never left. As a tenant at the renowned Jamboree Clay Workshop, Farrant immersed herself in her craft. Today, she scours the local beaches, collecting plastic treasures, organic forms, and introduced weeds. Through slip casting delicate white porcelain, Farrant transforms these discarded items into mesmerizing hybrid compositions. For GOLD she showcases the fleshy leaves of the native succulent Samphire, abundant in Port Willunga, where Farrant resides. The succulent’s curves are enhanced with the shimmering touch of gold leaf, elevating their natural beauty.

Adrian Potter

Furniture Associate 1995-1996

Adrian Potter, a conceptual artist and product designer defies categorisation with his work that straddles the realms of craft, design, sculpture, and conceptual art. With a meticulous approach and a background in mechanical engineering, Potter began creating furniture after crafting guitars early in his career. His diverse practice includes commissions, product design, exhibition pieces, teaching, and tinkering. Golden Eye 2023 is built from rare Australian Red Cedar and Huon Pine, adorned with glints of 23-carat gold.

Lauren Simeoni

Metal Design Associate 1997-1998

Lauren Simeoni transforms mundane objects into whimsical wearable art. Her background in Gold and Silversmithing led her to the Metal Design Associateship at JamFactory followed by a mentorship at Gray Street Workshop. Simeoni’s art explores the rich colours and textures of found objects, utilising limited palettes to create interactive conceptual jewellery and 2D works. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and actively contributes to the art and design community through teaching and guest lecturing. Currently, Simeoni serves as the Arts Coordinator in the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Arts in Health program.

Belinda Newick

Metal Design Associate 1998-1999

Perth-born Belinda Newick is an accomplished studio jeweller, curator and educator. She teaches at Melbourne Polytechnic and holds a Master of Creative Arts degree from the same institution. Newick has received prestigious grants, including international residencies and exhibited her works across Asia, New Zealand, and the USA, earning recognition such as the Lynne Kosky Award for Contemporary Jewellery. Newick’s jewellery practice showcases a fusion of traditional hand-crafting techniques and modern computer engraving processes, exemplifying the technical skills she imparts to her students. Her fine silver pieces, like Money for Jam 2023, feature intricate etched text, inviting viewers into an intimate connection. Inspired by JamFactory’s origins at an old jam factory in St Peters, this collaboration with Nico Kelly, her husband and fellow JamFactory alumnus, pays tribute to JamFactory’s cooperative spirit of supporting creatives.

Brenden Scott French

Glass Associate 1998-1999

Brenden Scott French is a Barossa Valley-based artist who works in both blown and kiln-formed glass. He has trained extensively in glass practice in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra. He has exhibited widely both in Australia and overseas. He was the 2020 recipient of ArtGroup Creative Fellowship from Canberra Glassworks and in 2007 he was the recipient of the Stephen Procter Fellowship. French has also undertaken residencies in Tacoma Museum of Glass, Northlands Creative Glass Centre, Lybster, Scotland, Canberra Glassworks and Australian National University Glass Workshop. His work is held in numerous private and public collections both in Australia and abroad including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in the USA.

Janice Vitkovsky

Glass Associate 2000-2001

Janice Vitkovsky regards her experience at JamFactory as a pivotal point in building her skill. She states that, for her, “the intensive training was fundamental to understanding glass as a material and its technical capacities.” After receiving the inaugural JamFactory scholarship to attend the Pilchuck Glass School in the USA, Vitkovsky has worked and studied in Australia and the US with some of the finest international glass artists. Under the mentorship of Giles Bettison, Vitkovsky mastered the murrini technique, which she now employs to create captivating wall panels and freestanding forms. Her works have been showcased in exhibitions both in Australia and internationally, and she is represented by Sabbia Gallery, Sydney.

Honor Freeman

Ceramics Associate 2002-2003

Honor Freeman creates porcelain objects that challenge their materiality and purpose. Her work has been exhibited at renowned institutions such as the MCA and Powerhouse Museum, and she has completed residencies in Denmark and the US. Freeman’s pieces are held in major public collections, including the NGV, AGSA, ArtBank, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC. Her recent Guildhouse Collections Project at the AGSA resulted in the Ghost Objects exhibition during the 2019 SALA Festival. Freeman’s exploration of the poetic potential of soap as a symbol of meaning and transformation is beautifully rendered through slip casting and the solidification of porcelain. The resulting porcelain casts stand as precise memories of past forms, resembling ghostly remnants of almost obsolete objects.

Kath Inglis

Metal Design Associate 2002-2003

Kath Inglis is renowned for her expertise in transforming PVC, an everyday material, into exquisite creations through meticulous hand-cut incisions and carved patterns. Inglis’s innovative use of this unconventional medium allows light and reflection to dance upon its surface. Alongside her frequent exhibitions and collaborative public art projects, she also shares her expertise as a lecturer at UniSA. Recently, she assumed the position of JamFactory’s Jewellery & Metal Head of Studio at from 2021-2023.

Anne-Claire Petre

Furniture Associate 2002-2003

A career involving studying Industrial and Furniture Design in France and Scotland enabled French-born Petre to develop a deep understanding of good design, materials and processes. After completing the Associate Program, Petre relocated to Melbourne to work for design and architecture firms before founding her own furniture design practice- anaca studio. Petre’s focus is on working closely with local manufacturers and designing products which are built to last.

Annette Blair

Glass Associate 2005-2006

Annette Blair, a skilled glassmaker based in the Canberra region, showcases her dedication to craftsmanship and technical refinement through her practice. Working from both the Canberra Glassworks and her personal studio in Burra, NSW, Blair works for herself as an exhibiting artist and production glassblower as well as assisting and gaffing for many of Australia’s leading artists working in glass. Blair was recognised for her outstanding glass moulding skills at the 2023 AUSGLASS Conference, where she was awarded the prestigious Vicki Torr International Year of Glass Prize.

Her Traces of Stillness series delves into the remnants of time, employing layers of glass enamels, gold and rust to evoke imagined narratives and decay. In Traces of Stillness #5, Blair explores the possibilities of glass by incorporating accumulated techniques and processes honed over her glass-making journey.

Takeshi Iue

Furniture Associate 2005-2006

Takeshi Iue, originally from Osaka, Japan, is renowned for seeking balance and simplicity in design. Iue joined the JamFactory Associate Program after completing UniSA’s Bachelor of Visual Communication and a Diploma of Art in Furniture Design. He has worked as a cabinet maker and designer with Khai Liew since 2009. Iue’s Mono table lamp, crafted from English limewood, is a minimalist masterpiece with its sculptural form, subtle gold accent, and timeless appeal. It seamlessly blends into any space while capturing poetry, subtlety, and simplicity in its design. Iue’s work is in the collection of the AGSA.

Gareth Brown

Furniture Associate 2006-2007

In Tasmania’s wet corner, among some of the oldest living organisms on Earth, grows the prized Huon Pine, colloquially known as “Tassie Gold”. Brown, a founding director of Adelaide’s leading furniture manufacturer Agostino & Brown (A&B), uses this native timber to create the Golden Tambootie 2023. The Tambootie range, handmade since 2013, represents A&B’s brand growth and manufacturing processes over a decade. Guided by Brown, A&B combines tradition with modern CNC processing, producing sustainable, contemporary and durable furniture. Brown leads a collaborative team of ambitious creators dedicated to establishing A&B as an exciting furniture manufacturing business in Australia.

Michelle Kelly

Metal Design Associate 2006-2007

Perth-born Michelle Kelly is a visual artist specialising in jewellery, metalwork, and 3D design. After completing her studies at Curtin University, she relocated to Adelaide in 2006 to become a Metal Associate at JamFactory. With a focus on fungi, Kelly draws inspiration from the beauty and significance of this remarkable Fifth Kingdom. Kelly’s practice has evolved to include large and small-scale sculptural works and installations. Alongside her artistic endeavours, Kelly also plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of jewellery and metal smithers, sharing her expertise and knowledge as a dedicated short-course instructor at JamFactory.

Stephanie James-Manttan

Ceramics Associate 2007-2008

Stephanie James-Manttan creates intricately detailed, sculptural porcelain vessels that evoke a soft, woven-like appearance. Each wheel-thrown form reflects her intuitive guidance and features a delicate balance. Inspired by life, art, architecture, and nature, her works showcase layered repeating patterns etched into the surface. Observing Indigenous women weaving baskets at Central Craft in Alice Springs shaped her artistic approach, capturing the organic materiality and rhythmic patterns of woven baskets. Returning to JamFactory as the Ceramics Head of Studio, James-Manttan pays homage to her art lecturer, Bruce Nuske, with Brucoco 2023, embodying lavish Baroque/Rococo style with a coral-like quality enhanced by gold lustre.

Sarah Rothe

Metal Design Associate 2007-2008

Sarah Rothe has made significant contributions to contemporary jewellery through her creative pursuits, teaching roles, and leadership positions. With a background in visual arts and applied design, the JamFactory Associate Program refined Rothe’s craft and fostered her growth as an artist. Her work has been acquired by prestigious institutions, including AGSA and the Powerhouse Museum. Her latest collection of brooches reflects her exploration of form, materiality, and personal narrative, showcasing a harmonious fusion of structure and delicacy inspired by her connection with JamFactory.

Rothe states:

“Each work is an invitation to contemplate the passage of time, the intersection of past and present, and the delicate balance between structure and fluidity.”

Erin Keys

Metal Design Associate 2008-2009

Erin Keys, an accomplished jeweller, designer, and educator with over 20 years of experience has made significant contributions to the craft and design industry. Keys’ practice encompasses unique exhibition pieces, bespoke commissions, and limited edition laser cut jewellery. She has worked with renowned design companies and galleries, developed public artworks, and established The Bench, a community-oriented jewellery learning space. Keys’ has also showcased her expertise as jewellery repairer on Foxtel’s The Repair Shop.

Amanda Dziedzic

Glass Associate 2008-2009

Amanda Dziedzic is a Melbourne-based glass artist and co-founder of Hothaus Glass Studio. Meticulously crafted in hot glass, Barba Rosa, 2023, captures the beauty of roses, evoking memories of fully bloomed flowers from her great grandmother’s garden. With influences from Japanese aesthetics and a passion for colour, Dziedzic’s creations bridge the gap between nature and the sublime. This artwork invites contemplation on the ever-changing nature of memory and the possibilities that lie within.

Caren Elliss

Furniture Associate 2008-2009

Caren Ellis is a designer/maker renowned for her thoughtful and playful furniture creations. With a background in Industrial Design, Elliss’ designs focus on sustainably sourced Australian timbers and ethical production. Her eponymous design studio also extends to residential and hospitality fit outs. Ellis has contributed to the field of design as an educator at UniSA as well as a mentor to the next generation of JamFactory Furniture Associates.

Leonie Westbrook

Metal Design Associate 2008-2009

Westbrook is a UniSA alumna who honed her skills in metal design as a JamFactory Associate and later at Gray Street Workshop. Leonie has exhibited extensively, including solo and group shows at Zu Design and Studio Ingot. Her works have been acquired by public collections such as the Toowoomba City Collection and AGSA. Her artistic journey includes mentorships and masterclasses with acclaimed practitioners David Huycke and Catherine Truman. Westbrook’s pieces for GOLD are based on the golden ratio and created with precise measurement, embracing the concept of the perfect rectangle.

Susan Frost

Ceramics Associate 2009-2010

Susan Frost has established a successful practice specialising in wheel-thrown minimalist porcelain forms with subtle gradations of colour and tone. She has completed several significant corporate commissions, received prestigious grants and undertaken multiple residencies. Frost’s practice shifted during a self-directed residency in New York, leading to a research-based approach and focus on one-off pieces for exhibition. Her work has been curated into exhibitions across Australia and is part of the major touring exhibition SIXTY: The Journal of Australian Ceramics 60th Anniversary. “I would not be the maker I am today without the Associate Program.”

Kristel Britcher

Glass Associate 2010-2011

Kristel Britcher’s journey from UniSA graduate to Head of JamFactory’s Glass Studio over the past decade has been an inspiration. Her broad glass practice encompasses product design and one-off art pieces that deftly combine her interests in the “hot” techniques of glassblowing and the “cold” techniques of glass cutting and polishing. For Kristel, the most rewarding experience as an Associate was “becoming part of the extraordinary glass community here in Adelaide. It was a great privilege to work alongside, and receive encouragement from professional makers in my earlier years.”

Madeline Prowd

Glass Associate 2010-2011

Shift: 026-028, 2023, is a captivating exploration of light, texture, and pattern by Madeline Prowd, a glass artist heavily influenced by traditional Italian techniques. Departing from literal representations of nature, her focus shifts to the inherent beauty of patterns themselves. As a Studio Technician at JamFactory and an instructor at renowned glass schools, Prowd’s technical proficiency and commitment to the handmade shine through in her work. With a dedication to assisting the Adelaide glass community, Prowd is a valued member of the glass art scene. Alongside her partner Lewis Batchelar, also a talented glass artist and JamFactory alumni featured in Gallery Two, their upcoming relocation to New Zealand will leave a void in the local glass community.

Alison Smiles

Ceramics Associate 2012-2012

Alison Smiles is a ceramic artist specialising in sculpture and functional works. She is one half of LUDERE PROJECTS, a design range created in collaboration with partner Caren Elliss, a fellow JamFactory alumna also featured in GOLD. Smiles is fascinated by clay’s mimetic qualities and its ability to capture touch, combined with the transformative power of fire. Alison is a lecturer in Ceramics and Sculpture at Adelaide College of the Arts and an adjunct lecturer at Flinders University.

Liam Fleming

Glass Associate 2012-2013

Liam Fleming is a boundary-pushing glass artist whose work explores the intersections of craft, art, design and architecture. Through deliberate “controlled demolition” of mould-blown forms, he captures transformative moments and embraces the beauty of uncertainty. Fleming’s experimentation with coldworking techniques adds an element of chance to his process. With an impressive exhibition history including major international events, collaborations with renowned designers and architects, and recognition through grants and awards, he is establishing himself as a leading artist in his field. His works can be found in public collections across Australia, including the NGV. Fleming’s upcoming exhibitions at AGSA, supported by his Guildhouse Fellowship, promises an exciting glimpse into his evolving glass artistry.

Ulrica Trulsson

Ceramics Associate 2012-2013

Ulrica Trulsson came to Adelaide from Victoria for the Associate Program. Her exquisite wheel-thrown pieces evoke her Scandinavian heritage and reference subtle details within the Australian landscape. Based in Brisbane since 2017, she is now represented by Skepsi Gallery, Melbourne; Beaver Galleries, Canberra and Sabbia Gallery, Sydney. She says of her time at JamFactory that, ‘being surrounded, day to day, by the tenants, staff, other Associates and mentors was invaluable. Exposure to so much collective knowledge pushed by work forwards and helped shape my practice.”

Courtney Jackson

Jewellery and Metal Associate 2013-2014

Courtney Jackson specialises in creating intricate wearable jewellery using precious metals and gemstones. Her pieces feature handcrafted components made from fine silver wire and 18ct gold, forming collages of natural and organic elements. Inspired by spring blossoms, autumn leaves, and dewdrops, Jackson reimagines these elements into patterned artificial landscapes. Her piece First Frost, 2023, is an ode to her early work as an Associate, showcasing a decade of manipulating silver wire to achieve repetition, texture and intricate detail in the form of articulated earrings.

Katie-Ann Houghton

Glass Associate 2013-2014

Katie-Ann Houghton, the artist and designer of KAH, challenges mass consumption by creating innovative, handmade objects that engage the sense. Inspired by early 20th century design and traditional Venetian glassmaking, her contemporary works fuse minimalist style with the delicate craftsmanship of Venetian glass, often accentuated with touches of gold. With a passion for preserving the dying art of glassblowing, Houghton’s creations reimagine tableware as functional design and objects of beauty.

Liam Mugavin

Furniture Design Associate 2013-2014

Adelaide-born Liam Mugavin credits his growth as a designer to the Associate Training Program. His experience served as a crucial stepping stone for him to refine his abilities and establish a furniture and lighting design studio in Sydney. In 2015, he won the prestigious Clarence Prize for excellence in Furniture Design, along with a $20,000 award. With over a decade of experience in Australia and Japan, Mugavin’s work reflects a blend of both cultures. His designs incorporate the essence of materiality into simple forms, exemplified by the captivating Pebble Table, 2023. Currently based in Myoko, Japan, he creates custom furniture while collaborating with Australian craftspeople, including fellow JamFactory alumni Andrew Carvolth, Steve Soeffky and Dean Toepfer.

Rhys Cooper

Furniture Associate 2014-2015

Rhys Cooper, a furniture, lighting and object designer established his studio in 2016. Collaborating with local Australian craftspeople and industries, Cooper utilises premium materials and processes to create dynamic and original pieces. With a focus on artistic integrity and production, his work sparks conversations and initiates new dialogues. Cooper’s eponymous studio crafts creative products that narrate compelling stories. Blending artistic flair, functionality, and versatility, his Central Tables, 2023, boast sculptural design with a minimalist aesthetic. Developed while at JamFactory. Cooper’s continues to collaborate with jam (JamFactory Australian Made) as well as DesignByThem.

Drew Spangenberg

Glass Associate 2014-2015

Drew Spangenberg became an Associate after completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Glass) at UniSA. Spangenberg is a master glass blower who explores the boundary between functionality and ornamentation, creating objects that defy categorisation. Spangenberg has remained closely linked to JamFactory following his Associateship, where he not only continues to practice glassblowing in the hot shop but also serves as the Production Manager for the studio.

Zoe Grigoris

Jewellery and Metal Associate 2015-2016

Zoe Grigoris uses mark-making techniques to create detailed patterns and floral motifs in precious metal. Her first solo exhibition Social Medea premiered at JamFactory in 2021. For Grigoris, the most valuable thing about JamFactory is the community, “the opportunity to learn from a broad spectrum of makers, designers and business people.”

She has established a successful commission-based stream to her practice, working closely with private clients, most often on the design and making of precious rings. Her production ranges are stocked in several galleries and shops across the country.

Danielle Barrie

Jewellery and Metal Associate 2016-2017

Gold, a symbol of stability and capital, is both enjoyable and conflicting as a jeweller’s medium. Barrie navigates this dichotomy while exploring the intrinsic nature of adornment. Hailing from South Africa, Danielle graduated from UniSA before becoming a JamFactory Associate. She is a talented jewellery and object-maker whose designs seamlessly blend geometric shapes, precious gemstones, and pearls. She crafts pieces to become cherished elements of the wearer’s daily rituals and golden moments. Since 2020, Barrie has held the role of Production Manager at JamFactory’s Jewellery and Metal Studio, while also maintaining her independent practice at Mixed Goods Studios.

Andrew Carvolth

Furniture Associate 2017-2018

Andrew Carvolth, a skilled craftsperson and designer hailing from Canberra, embarked on a remarkable journey from an Associate in 2018 to the esteemed position of Head of Furniture Studio in 2021. After graduating from the ANU School of Art & Design (hons) degree, Carvolth established his own design practice, specialising in speculative exhibition work, commissions, and edition objects. His work is showcased nationally and internationally and is included in the collection of the NGV. Carvolth is the co-founder of Mixed Goods Studios alongside fellow JamFactory alumnus Dean Toepfer.

Kerryn Levy

Ceramics Associate 2017-2018

Kerryn Levy creates sculptural vessels using Australian clay and hand-building techniques. Inspired by Peramangk land, where she now lives, her works evoke human, animal and botanical forms, reflecting the colours and textures of the Australian landscape. Levy’s pieces bear the natural patterns left by the making process, symbolising the connection between body and earth. With a background in visual arts, her work has been collected by Shepparton Art Museum and private collections worldwide. Dappled, 2023, explores kintsugi repair, featuring a golden, freckled effect on sculptural vessels or candle holders.

Danielle Lo

Jewellery and Metal Associate 2017-2018

Danielle Lo studied in Sydney prior to arriving at JamFactory in 2017. Her contemporary jewellery practice focused on emulating forms from nature and draws on theories of Zen. She predominately works in silver, gold and enamel – a glass powder that can be fused to metal surfaces using traditional silversmithing techniques. After three years in Adelaide, Lo returned to Sydney. She has developed a collection of handmade jewellery, which is stocked in various locations around Australia and she continues to undertake bespoke commissions and teach jewellery workshops. Her series Bushland, 2023, explores the textures and forms found in the natural environment, with particular inspiration drawn from the recovery process following the Australian bushfires. Hand-engraved line textures represent the land’s gradual recovery with golden components symbolising regrowth.

Dean Toepfer

Furniture Associate 2017-2018

Dean Toepfer’s creative practice spans furniture, lighting, and object design. With a background in fashion and mentorship under renowned designer Lex Pott, Toepfer’s work reflects his passion for exploring different materials, shapes, and forms. Notably, his pendant lights showcase his commitment to quality and originality. His Domus, 2023, pendant light combines spun aluminium with a flattering ring light to create a functional and visually appealing lighting solution. Toepfer is co-founder of multi-disciplinary workshop Mixed Goods Studios. His strong connection to JamFactory continues as he contributes to its product development.

Great Ferguson, *Framed*, 2023, silver-plated copper, reclaimed gilded timber frame, dimensions variable, photo: Connor Patterson

Gretal Ferguson

Jewellery and Metal Associate 2018-2019

Gretal Ferguson challenges traditional craft norms while honouring the past. Using silversmithing as a medium, she explores its aesthetic and conceptual dimensions through arduous hammering. In Framed 2023, she questions the value of materials over centuries of artisanship. The pieces, resembling silver but plated copper, symbolise artisans priced out of their craft. Blank and non-functional, they represent the growing absence of necessary skills. The work highlights the future of silver smithing traditions and the risk of losing the craft. Ferguson’s work has been featured in exhibitions both in Australia and internationally. She won the prestigious Robert Foster F!nk prize in 2022 and is represented by Stanley Street Gallery, Sydney.

Sarra Tzijan

Jewellery and Metal Associate 2018-2019

Sarra Tzijan is an Indian/Australian artist based in Pukatja, APY Lands. With a background in Communication Design and Object and Jewellery Design, Tzijan’s artistic journey led her to an Associateship at JamFactory, where she became a tenant until 2022. She has worked closely with Aboriginal Art Centres and is currently serving as the Studio Manager at Ernabella Arts. Tzijan’s practice explores the themes of cultural heritage and displacement. Her work has been supported by organisations including the Australia Council for the Arts and Guildhouse.

Hannah Vorrath-Pajak

Ceramics Associate 2018-2019

Hannah’s wheel-thrown functional ware and exhibition-based objects explore ceramic traditions, craft skills, and her cultural heritage. Mentored by former JamFactory alumna Susan Frost, Vorrath-Pajak found her artistic direction and themes. The Associate training program, as well as residing in Tasmania and Japan expanded her knowledge of ceramic techniques. Vorrath-Pajak now works from her home studio, while also teaching wheel-throwing at JamFactory’s ceramics studio, maintaining her ongoing relationship with the institution.

Ivana Taylor

Furniture Associate 2019-2020

Ivana Taylor is a sculptor and designer known for her playful exploration of wrapping and continuous lines. Her objects, both sculptural and functional, feature soft, fluid forms created through meticulous acts of wrapping, interlacing and stitching. Taylor’s furniture designs emphasise texture and tactile engagement while incorporating principles of design-for-disassembly. A graduate of UNSW, Taylor served at the JamFactory Furniture Studio’s Production Manager before returning back to Sydney. Her work has been showcased in prestigious exhibitions and publications, including Milan Design Week and Vogue Living. She is represented exclusively by Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Sydney.

Sam Gold

Ceramics Associate 2020-2022

GOLD would not be complete without Sam Gold, one of the Associate Program’s most recent alumni who has become a prominent and rising talent in the contemporary art world over the last three years. With a background in Transpersonal Art Therapy, Furniture Design and Contemporary Art studies, Gold delved into ceramics in 2018. Their pinch-style coiled sculptures and vessels challenge the limits of clay both structurally and conceptually. Gold has received numerous awards and has exhibited extensively, including participation in the Australian Ceramics Triennial and Primavera at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Gold is represented by Hugo Michell Gallery.