Ruth Gowdy McKinley
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June 14, 1931
Ruth Gowdy McKinley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Reena Ruth Gowdy June 14, 1931 |
| Died | March 29, 1981 (aged 49) |
| Education | B.F.A. New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, NY; M.F.A. Alfred |
| Known for | Functional Ceramicist |
| Spouse | Donald Lloyd McKinley |
| Awards | first potter elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (1976) |
Ruth Gowdy McKinley RCA (June 14, 1931 – March 29, 1981) was an American-born Canadian ceramic artist noted for her skill in designing functional ceramic ware. She specialized in making teapots, cups and vases and was known for her attention to function and form.[1]
Born in Brooklyn, New York, McKinley originally studied classical piano from the age of four and eventually was offered admission to study at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. McKinley then made the decision to work with pottery by enrolling, instead, to study in the Department of Industrial Design at the New York State College of Ceramics in Alfred. McKinley earned her BFA and MFA from Alfred University, the MFA in 1955. She emigrated to Canada with her husband Donald in 1967 (he headed the furniture program at the new Sheridan College School of Craft and Design in Mississauga).[1][2]