A ceramic moulding machine from the United States is assisting people with disability to create a new jobs path.
The Monto Lupo art studio took delivery of the ‘RAM’ ceramic press in June and will begin production of a new ceramics line within weeks.
Multicap Creative Arts General Manager Fiona Haynes said supported employees would be trained to use the hydraulic press, which can create anything from garden pots and coffee mugs to plates and ornaments.
“The press will create more employment for people with disability in the studio because the machine takes away the need to be a skilled potter,” she said.
“Two or three people can be working the machine and they don’t need to be a potter.”
Initially the press will be used to create a commercial planter range to be sold in the Monte Lupo Gallery and Cafe, and Plant Empire in Yeerongpilly, with the hope of making them available at more nurseries throughout Queensland.
Fiona said the press could make around 100 pots in one hour.
“We’re excited about the employment opportunities this machinery will offer people with disability,” Fiona said.
The $76,000 machine was funded by Multicap and a grants from the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund ($35,000) and the Queensland Government’s Community Social Enterprise Development Grant ($15,000).