Smithsonian Artist back at Towanda High School

Jack Troy attended Towanda High School in the 1950’s. He played sports such as football, baseball and basketball. He did not get involved in the arts. Troy went to West Chester State Teachers College, where he became interested in literature, theater and writing.  It was then, when he decided to switch his major to English. After graduating, he taught English for 5 years where an art teacher showed him how to make pottery. He has been making it and experimenting with various styles ever since.  He was one of the first people in the United States to begin working with Japanese anagama wood-fired kilns.  He went on to earn his Master’s degree in English but also spent a lot of time in the ceramic studio. He then became a professor teaching English and pottery.  Eventually, he dropped teaching English and only taught pottery.

His pottery has provided him with invitations to 25 countries, including India, Japan and China. He has also written books on ceramics and pottery. He intertwines  poetry into his professional career. His work can be found in many museums around the world including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.