Talk:Ruth Gowdy McKinley

More in depth Biography Reena Ruth Gowdy McKinley 's page is incomplete and inaccurate. She was born June 14 1931 and died March 29 1981.-  Was born in Brooklyn to parents  Robert Scott Gowdy, ( head corporate chef of Howard Johnsons) and Vera Milne Gowdy  ( theatrical actress on Broadway stage and silver screen ) studied classical piano from 1936-1949 Studied Ceramic Design and Technology at New York State College of Ceramics, in Department of Industrial Ceramic Design  at Alfred University 1949-1955, received BFA in 1953 and MFA in 1955. Married Donald Lloyd McKinley June 1955 soon after graduation from MFA Moved to Canada in summer of 1967  as husband became the first director of Sheridan College School of Craft and Design. Gave birth to Lauren McKinley (Renzetti) August 7, 1968. Became a Canadian Citizen, Toronto Ontario 1973. A long with 7 other teachers and support staff at Sheridan. They planted maple trees to commemorate the citizenship. Diagnosed with cancer of the uterus in 1975. Operation for removal of cancer was successful.  Diagnosed with 6 cancerous spots in both lungs 1978, radiation and chemotherapy started immediately. All but two spots were eradicated but she lost the use of her left side and speech in 1980. After a full CAT scan, it was confirmed she had an inoperable brain tumor. Radiation continued. Died from Cancer of the Brain March 29, 1981 in Mississauga Hospital. She dies with only her husband Don as she refused to tell anyone about her illness. Her daughter was also not allowed to be present. 

Ceramic Experience 1952-3 . while in school worked at "Santa's Workshop" as an elf  glazing on bisque ware. - believe to have worked there only in the summers of 1952-53. < seen in postcards and in story book entitled Jack Jingles Wish by Catherine Stahlmann1953 printing.> Graduate Assistant to Charles Harder and Daniel Rhodes at Alfred University 1953-1955 Ceramic Instructor (summer school) at Alfred 1953 and 1954. Designed and Produced Stoneware and Earthenware at the Ossipee Pottery in New Hampshire 1955-1957. 1957-8. Studio in Utica New York 1959- December - Designed and constructed a catenary wood fired kiln with Donald Lloyd McKinley 1958-1962 Studio in Wayland New York 1962-3 Studio in Helsinki, Finland on a Fulbright scholarship. 1963-67 resumed studio in Wayland New York 1967-1981 held a studio on Sheridan College Campus of Craft and Design, as craftsman in residence, Mississauga Ontario Worked in own ceramic studio in USA and Canada since 1958 to 1981. IDP Ceramic Design Grant: Design Canada, Ottawa Ontario 1973. < Ruth personal resume dated September 1979>

Exhibitions 106 Exhibitions in Canada, USA, England, Italy, 60 invitational, 46 Juried 23 Awards since 1953 7 Solo Exhibitions 3 joint exhibitions with Donald Lloyd McKinley

Highlighted and Noteworthy Exhibitions 1973 Ceramics International 1974 In Praise of Hands 1975 World Craft Council International Conference, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto 1976 Cross Roads 1978 Artisan 1978 100 Teapots 1979 37th Concorso Internatazionale Della Ceramica D'Arte- Faenza 1979 Wood and Wood Fired, joint show with Donald L. McKinley

Post Hummus Shows 1985 Edges: 4th International Ceramics Symposium, Metro Reference Library, Toronto 1987 Craft Gallery, Ontario Crafts Council, Ruth Gowdy McKinley: A Legacy of Commitment, retrospective exhibition, July 8- August 2, Toronto 1996 Burlington Art Centre, Burlington Ontario, Useful Intentions: Selections from The Burlington Art Centre  Permanent Collection, January 10- May 12 1996 Sheridan Gallery, Sheridan College, Oakville Ontario Useful Intentions: Selections from The Burlington Art Centre Permanent Collection, September 25- October 10 1997 Burlington Arts Centre, Burlington Ontario, Ruth Gowdy McKinley Retrospective January 10- May 12 1997 Sheridan Gallery, Sheridan College, Oakville Ontario, Ruth Gowdy McKinley Retrospective September 25- October 10 1998 Burlington Art Centre, Burlington Ontario Fire and the Earth: Recent Canadian Ceramics,  September 1- 28 1998 Itabashi Art Gallery, Itabashi Japan, Fire and Earth : Recent Canadian Ceramics, February 21- March 22 2016-2017 Gardiner Museum, Toronto Ontario, True Nordic: Scandinavian Influenced Design in Canada, Oct 13, 2016- January 8, 2017 < from catalogue True Nordic: Scandinavian Influenced Design in Canada> 2017 New Brunswick Museum, Saint John  New Brunswick,  True Nordic: Scandinavian Influenced Design in Canada ,March 3- September  5  2017-8 Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver British Columbia,   True Nordic: Scandinavian Influenced Design in Canada ,Oct 21- 2017- January 8 2018. 

Lectured Michigan, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, Alberta, Ontario

Workshops Hamilton Potters Guild, Burlington Potters Guild, Mohawk College, Waterloo Potter's Guild, Huntsville Potter's Guild, YMHA Ceramic Students

Awards before 1980 Ruth received 23 awards 1985- Honorary Symposium Award: Edges 4th International Ceramics Symposium, Toronto 

Published " The Mark of this Fire" in TACTILE and STUDIO POTTER 1974-1975

Film " The Mark of This Fire" a 30 minute colour film released in 1979. Both article and film concern stacking a firing in a catenary arch, down draft wood fired kiln.

Memberships Elected Member: Royal Canadian Academy of Arts 1976 Founding Member; Ceramic Masters of Canada/Maitres Ceramistes Canada 1978 Ontario Potter Association Ontario Craft Council Canadian Craft Council American Craft Council World Crafts Council

< Ruth personal resume dated September 1979> persona biographical papers of Ruth Gowdy McKinley>  

Lauren McKinley Renzetti (talk) 19:28, 17 April 2017 (UTC)Lauren McKInley Renzetti