Ruth Gowdy McKinley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Gowdy McKinley
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|---|---|
| Born |
Reena Ruth Gowdy
June 14th 1931 |
| Died | December 8, 1981 (aged 49–50) |
| Education | B.F.A. New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, NY; M.F.A. Alfred |
| Known for | Functional Ceramicist |
| Spouse(s) | Donald Lloyd McKinley |
| Awards | first potter elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (1976) |
Ruth Gowdy McKinley RCA (1931 – 1981) was a talented artist who made pottery. She was born in America but became a Canadian citizen. Ruth was known for making useful pottery, like teapots, cups, and vases, that people could use every day.
Early Life and Education
Ruth Gowdy McKinley was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1931. From a young age, she loved music and started playing classical piano at four years old. She was even invited to study at the famous Juilliard School of Music in New York City!
But Ruth decided to follow a different path. Instead of music, she chose to study pottery. She enrolled at the New York State College of Ceramics in Alfred. She worked hard and earned her master's degree in fine arts from Alfred University in 1955. Later, in 1967, Ruth moved to Canada.
Her Amazing Career
When Ruth moved to Canada in 1967, she became the main potter at Sheridan College of Art and Design in Mississauga, Ontario. This meant she was an artist in residence, sharing her skills and creating art there.
- First Big Show: In 1973, Ruth had her first major art show called Ceramics International at the University of Calgary. She won a special award there!
- Becoming a Royal Canadian Artist: In 1976, something very special happened. Ruth became the first potter ever to be chosen for the Royal Canadian Academy of Art. This is a huge honor for artists in Canada.
- Looking Back at Her Art: After her death, a special show called a "retrospective" was held in 1997 at the Burlington Art Centre. This show displayed many of her artworks from throughout her career.
Ruth's beautiful pottery can be found in many important art collections. Some of these include the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, the Art Gallery of Burlington, the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
A Lasting Legacy
Ruth Gowdy McKinley passed away in 1981. However, her friends and fellow artists wanted to keep her memory alive. Because of their efforts, the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery opened in Waterloo, Ontario, in 1993. This gallery was created to honor Ruth and her amazing contributions to pottery and art in Canada.
