Jack Sures

Personal background

Sures was born at Brandon, Manitoba in 1934. 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. 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.

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:

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.

Selected collections

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

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.

Awards

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