JMGA-NSW Inc. existed initially as the Sydney Jewellers Group during the 1970s and then as JMGA NSW. The organisation became incorporated in 1988 and is now known as JMGA-NSW Inc.

Our activities include the key exhibitions Profile and Takeaway, as well as occasionally coordinating guest speakers and workshops. JMGA-NSW Inc has been responsible for the organisation of two conferences and the publication of LEMEL on three occasions each for a two-year period. In 1990 we hosted the 6th JMGA International Biennial Conference and in 2006 staged on Location, making stories, the 12th JMGA International Biennial Conference.

Throughout its history JMGA has forged links with associations and organisations such as the British Crafts Council, Electrum Gallery in London, Gallery RA in Amsterdam, NZ Crafts Council and the Society of North American Goldsmiths, (SNAG), enabling us to invite many overseas jewellers and artists to present papers at the biennial conferences.

In 1995 JMGA-NSW Inc became involved in the restoration a group of historic cottages in Cross Street, Pyrmont, which was facilitated by the City West Development Corporation and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. An advisory committee, consisting of Martha Henderson, Diane Appleby, Valerie Odewahn and Alice Whish represented JMGA-NSW as members, as well as the UNSW-College of Fine Arts, University of Sydney-Sydney College of the Arts, TAFE NSW Sydney Institute-Design Centre Enmore. In this capacity JMGA-NSW provided advise regarding the technical aspects of jewellery and small metalworking facilities. Pyrmont Studios was opened in 1998 and was managed by Object, Centre for Contemporary Craft. JMGA-NSW Inc continued to be actively involved until 1999 when the Object Studios Management Advisory Committee was disbanded.

In 2002 JMGA-NSW Inc. took on the management of Pyrmont Studios, when Object discontinued their involvement, holding the lease until March 2006 when the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority reclaimed the properties.

Pyrmont Studios was a unique facility for jewellers and metalsmiths, consisting of individual studios, a communal workshop, a small gallery and a residence. The centre provided a focal point for contemporary jewellery through its studios, workshops and gallery for local practitioners, visiting artists and the broader Pyrmont community. The residence offered the potential for inter- and intrastate practitioners, and indeed from other countries, to benefit from its facilities and enter into an exchange of ideas and experiences with other practitioners. It also formed a nurturing environment providing facilities for new graduates in the field to work alongside established practitioners.

Throughout its time workshops were offered from visiting local and international artists, fostering new techniques and opportunities and consequently enriching the products and growth of our craft-based industries. In this way we provided a centre for exchange and cultural development.

During the tenancy of JMGA-NSW at Pyrmont Studios 12 exhibitions were staged including: 3 members’ exhibitions, 1 student exhibition & 3 international exhibitions (Austria, Japan & the UK).
Alongside these three major exhibition projects were initiated:

• Melding, a national touring exhibition involving 15 artists;
• Transposition, an exhibition of work by 5 artists exploring the history of the suburb of Pyrmont;
• Luminaries, focusing on the work of six key Australasian jewellers who have maintained significant practices for 30 years; and more recently,
• and Takeaway, which has since become our biennial members’ selling exhibition.