Jack Masson, John J. Masson Jr.

Biography to Display:

1933Born Bronx New York, New York

EDUCATION

1958BA, Industrial Arts, Oswego State University of New York, Oswego, New York

1961MFA, School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

—US Air Force

—Teacher, Mamaroneck Junior and Senior High Schools, Mamaroneck New York

—Teacher, Industrial Arts, State University of New York College, Buffalo, New York

1962-1965Potter, Old Deerfield, Deerfield, Massachusetts

1962-2015Studio Potter

BIOGRAPHY

Jack Masson is known for functional stoneware and porcelain pots fired in a reduction atmosphere. Early in his career, Masson produced sculptures.

Masson’s early education was sporadic. However, at age 28 he finished his undergraduate work in two and a half years, then earned his master’s degree at the School for American Crafts. Masson studied under Frans Wildenhain, perhaps his greatest influence. Through Wildenhain he met Aileen Osborne Webb, founder of the American Craft Council, and went on to sell his pots to America House in New York City, a craft gallery begun by Mrs. Webb.

A half page picture of one of his pots in Consumer Reports also helped launch his career and in 1965 enabled the purchase of an old farm in western Massachusetts where he set up his home and studio.

Public Collections

Public Collections to Display:

The White House (Nixon era), Washington, DC

Bibliography

Bibliography to Display:

Frisenda, John. Ceramics by Jack Masson (VHS). Geneseo, NY: State University of New York at Geneseo, 1969.

Meyer, Carolyn. People Who Make Things. New York, NY: Atheneum Books, 1975.

Wettlaufer, George and Nancy. Getting Into Pots: A Basic Pottery Manual. Upper Saddle River, NJ:Prentice Hall, 1976.

Typical Marks

Masson used different marks throughout the years. One, a keyhole shaped chop, wider at bottom, with round imprint within the keyhole at top. Another is his signature in script.