Rick’s Resume
Rick and Jetty have been making ceramic art for over 40 years. Originally from Chicago, Rick got his Bachelor of Science at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois (political science and German) in 1967. He then spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia, South America. He returned to the U.S. and relocated in California. While a disc jockey at KYOS in Merced he took an evening class in ceramics at the local community college. He got hooked. During this time he was introduced to Jetty on a blind date by a mutual friend. That was 50 years ago.
Rick found a summer course offered by Bruce Mac Dougal at Big Creek Pottery in Davenport, California. That seven week, live-on-campus experience allowed him to hone his work on the wheel and learn how to build a kiln, build a kick wheel, develop glazes and fire a kiln. Upon returning to California’s Central Valley Jetty and Rick opened Mugs and Jugs Pottery and operated a shop on Highway 140 for seven years. Kids came along and Rick and Jetty fell back on their trained professions of teaching. Rick focused on junior high mathematics (as well as art, and Spanish), while Jetty concentrated on early education and later on 5th and 6th grades.
Since retiring in 2013 and 2104 respectively, Rick and Jetty have built a separate studio/gallery at their home in Cathey’s Valley and have time to pursue ceramic art as often as they want, which is often.