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]

• Saskatchewan Arts Board
• Gardiner Museum
• External Affairs Canada
• Province of Saskatchewan
• University of Saskatchewan
• Pecs National Museum, Hungary
• University of Regina
• Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec^[7]

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

• List of Canadian artists