Ted Randall, Theodore Randall

1914 Born Indianapolis, Indiana

1985 Died Alfred, New York

EDUCATION

1938 BFA Sculpture, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

1949 MFA New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1949-1985 Studio Potter

1951-1981 New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

Early on Ted Randall made utilitarian vessel forms, a recurring theme throughout his career. He studied architecture, sculpture, industrial design, and ceramics. Randall joined the faculty of Alfred University in 1951 and became the head of the Division of Art and Design in 1958. He was the department chairman until his retirement in 1981. Randall is credited with creating the fine arts program at Alfred. During these years he invented a significant improvement to the potter’s kick-wheel.

Randall was the third generation of his family to be involved with ceramics. His time teaching and working at Alfred limited his studio work. His was most productive after his retirement in 1981. His work at this time was glazed stoneware and earthenware. He coined the word “sculpots” to describe the work he was making that drew from both sculpture and vessel making. Randall’s work exhibits a range of techniques including throwing, coiling, and slab building, in some instances more than one technique appears in a piece.

In 1966 he was instrumental in founding the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) and wrote the original charter and bylaws.