Jack Sures

Jack Sures (November 20, 1934 – May 12, 2018)[1][2] was a Canadian ceramic artist and post-secondary academic.[3]

Personal background

Sures was born at Brandon, Manitoba, in 1934.[4] He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1957 with a B.F.A. He went on to earn his M.A. in painting and printmaking from the Michigan State University in 1959.[5] After two years working in the United Kingdom and traveling in Europe and the Middle East he established a studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was instrumental in establishing the ceramics department at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus (now the University of Regina). He undertook an appointment in 1973-1974 working in Grenada, West Indies for the United Nations Handcraft Development Program.[4] Sures died on May 12, 2018, at the age of 83.[6]

Body of work

After completing his M.A. Sures moved to the United Kingdom where he worked in London. Here he learned mold making, slip casting and production wheel-throwing. His works are wheel-thrown vessel-based pieces and hand-built sculpture. Sures has worked on various commissions, the most notable being:[4]

  • Mural created for the Provincial Office Building in Saskatoon
  • Mural for the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
  • Ceramic pieces for Secretary of State Canada;
  • Terrazzo floor for the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, Regina

Arts administration

Sures has taken a strong interest in arts organizations. He has acted as an adviser or consultant for a number of organizations including the Canada Council regarding ceramic art; the Banff Centre for their facilities and program development; the Regina Wascana Centre Authority on its Fine Arts Committee; and as a member of the Board of the Canadian Conference of the Arts.[4]

Selected collections

Sures' works are in both private and public collections including;[5]

Academic positions

Sures was Chairman of the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Regina from 1969-71. On his retirement in 1998 he was granted Professor Emeritus.[3]

Awards

Sures has been recognized for his accomplishments by the grant of honours including;[3]

  • Saidye Bronfman Award, 2018
  • Saskatchewan Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, 2017
  • Canada Council Study Grant 1965 and 1972 to study in Japan and France respectively.
  • Awarded Grand Prize, International Ceramic Exhibition, Mino, Japan, 1989
  • Order of Canada, inducted as Member, 1991
  • Province of Saskatchewan, Recognized for contributions to Canada and the Province, 1992.
  • Saskatchewan Order of Merit, 2003
  • Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, University of Regina, 1991
  • Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Research, University of Regina, 1992
  • International Academy of Ceramics, Elected as member
  • Commemorative Medal of the 125th Anniversary of The Confederation of Canada, Recognition for Significant Contribution to Compatriots and to Canada
  • Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jack SURES Obituary - Regina, SK | Leader-Post". Legacy.com. Archived from the original on 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  2. ^ "Jack Sures | Saskatchewan Craft Council". Archived from the original on 2015-06-24. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  3. ^ a b c "Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan". Archived from the original on 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  4. ^ a b c d "U of Manitoba Bio". Archived from the original on 2006-02-21. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  5. ^ a b U Regina Bio
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2018-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Sures, Jack - Collections - MNBAQ - Collections - MNBAQ". collections.mnbaq.org.
  8. ^ "Jubilee Medal". Archived from the original on 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2013-04-20.