Jack Sures' Bio

Jack Sures (1934-2018) was born in Brandon, Manitoba. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the the University of Manitoba in 1957, and his masters degree in Painting and Printmaking from Michigan State University in 1959. After travelling around Europe and the Middle East for several years, he returned to Canada to set up his own ceramics studio in Winnipeg. In 1965, Sures moved to Regina to set up the Ceramics and Printmaking program at the University of Saskatchewan’s Regina Campus. During his time in Regina, Sures worked along side David Gilhooly, Victor Cicansky, Ann James, and Marilyn Levine. Sures also work and studied in Japan, France and Grenada while he continued to teach until his retirement in 1998.

During his teaching career, Sures was the recipient of numerous commissions, including pieces for the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Sturdy Stone Provincial Office Building, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. His work has been exhibited throughout Canada and internationally.
Sures has received many honours and awards, including the Grand Prize at the International Ceramics Competition in Mino, Japan (1989), the University of Regina’s Alumni Association Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Research (1991, 1992), the Order of Canada (1991), the Canada 125 Medal, and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (2003). He has also been elected to the International Academy of Ceramics.

Sures’ ceramic work is represented in numerous collection, including the MacKenzie Art Gallery (Regina), Saskatchewan Arts Board, Pecs National Museum (Hungary), Canada Council Art Bank (Ottawa), Winnipeg Art Gallery, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Canadian Guild of Crafts (Montreal), and Mendel Art Gallery (Saskatoon).