JamFactory celebrates 10 year partnership and support for prestigious FUSE Glass Prize
JAMFACTORY CELEBRATES 10 YEAR PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR PRESTIGEOUS FUSE GLASS PRIZE
Founding FUSE donors Jim and Helen Carreker’s generous endowment alongside a partnership with South Australia’s historic Carrick Hill, becomes the most significant privately supported project in JamFactory’s 50 year history.
FUSE – CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING GLASS ARTISTS
Since it was established by JamFactory in 2016, the biennial FUSE Glass Prize has become the most prestigious platform for celebrating and supporting outstanding glass artists from Australia and New Zealand.
2021 FUSE GLASS ARTIST RESIDENCY EXHIBITION
In 2021 a new residency program was launched to take place each alternate year of the prize. The inaugural recipient of the FUSE Glass Artist Residency - valued at $20,000 - was Adelaide-based artist Alex Valero who chose to undertake his residency at JamFactory over three intense blocks in March, August and September. His new solo exhibition, The Study of the Sky which resulted from the residency, will be on show in the new, purpose-built Wall Gallery in honour of Ian Wall AM and Pamela Wall OAM at the iconic South Australian house museum Carrick Hill from 30 October 2021 to 30 January 2022.
JamFactory is thrilled to be partnering with Carrick Hill on this and future FUSE Glass Artist Residency exhibitions. Throughout the 2021 exhibition season Carrick Hill will also open Ursula’s Gin bar every Friday evening from 5pm as well as the Wall Gallery for visitors to view Alex Valero’s work. Additionally, JamFactory and Carrick Hill will also co-present a series of bespoke talks in the House exploring the depth and breadth of other JamFactory glass artists and creatives.
INSPIRING PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
The FUSE Glass Prize and Residency program is a shining example of how collective philanthropic support can create great opportunities for artists and add extraordinary value to the work of arts organisations.
The prize evolved from conversations that began in 2014 between committed glass art collectors Jim and Helen Carreker and JamFactory. The FUSE Glass Prize launched in 2016 and was funded then, as it is now, predominantly through private philanthropy and sponsorship.
The Carrekers’ steadfast support has been ongoing. Alongside the Walls, they gifted additional funds in 2020 to enable significant evolution of the prize – including the development of the FUSE Glass Artist Residency award in the alternate years of the prize. Most recently the Carreker’s have partnered with new community foundation, Foundation SA, to create an endowment fund that will ensure this important new residency component will be well supported over the next ten years. With this latest commitment, the Carrekers’ personal philanthropic support of FUSE has become the most significant private support in JamFactory’s history.
The FUSE Glass Prize is made possible thanks to the following donors and supporters; Jim and Helen Carreker, the Hon Diana Laidlaw AM, David McKee AM and Pam McKee, the David & Dulcie Henshall Foundation, Pamela Wall OAM and Ian Wall AM, Susan Armitage, Sonia Laidlaw, Trina Ross and Maia Ambegaokar and Joshua Bishop along with The Louise luxury accommodation in the Barossa, Seppeltsfield Wines and Carrick Hill.