It runs training courses and specialises in high quality craft and design objects, including furniture, jewellery, ceramics, glass, and metal ware.
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.
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.
[2] 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).
[3] In 1992 JamFactory moved to a purpose-built building in the West End creative precinct of Adelaide city,[1] on Morphett Street in close proximity to the Lion Arts Centre and Mercury Cinema.
[2] 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.
[2] 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 A$5 million plus SKYroom.
[8][9] JamFactory has been known by a series of names:[10] The city location is at 19 Morphett Street, next door to the Mercury Cinema and Lion Arts Centre.
[12] 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”.