Background
Grittner, James Russell was born on July 21, 1934 in Westboro, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Frank George Grittner and Rilla Sofia Vought.
Grittner, James Russell was born on July 21, 1934 in Westboro, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Frank George Grittner and Rilla Sofia Vought.
Bachelor of Science in Art, University Wisconsin, Superior, 1958. Master of Science in Ceramics, University Wisconsin, Madison, 1961. Master of Fine Arts, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, 1966.
Co-creator, sales representative Paoli (Wisconsin) Clay Company, 1960-1961. Assistant and acting director Rochester (Minnesota) Art Center, 1961—1963. Member art faculty University Wisconsin, Superior, 1963—2002, chairman department art., 1989—2002, full professor, 2002—2006, professor emeritus, since 2006, adjunct faculty, since 2002.
Creator Lake Superior National Craft Exhibition Duluth Art Institute, Minnesota, 1971. Guest artist Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, 1977, Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, 1979, Art School Chicago Art Institute, 1981. Guest teacher N. Adelaide School Art, Australia, 1984-1985.
Democratic co-chairman Don Anderson for governor campaign, Wisconsin, 1968.
Married Patricia Gayle McKnight. Children: Leah Palomo, Rachel Bruzek.