Biography

Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida, Raymond Ferguson was born January 30, 1932. He received his Masters and Bachelors Degrees in art education from Penn State and served as art supervisor in several PA school districts. In 1962 he and his wife Lois made the move to Gainesville where Ray accepted a job as professor of Art Education in the College of Education and years later was transferred to the College of the Arts. He retired in 1992. Retirement enabled Ray, a master wood turner, to perfect his skills. He had a wonderful sense of design, great patience in teaching others and a work ethic that demanded perfection. Over a period of fifty years his turnings appeared in over 200 shows - international, national, regional and local. He received commissions to create pieces for individuals as well as organizations and churches and served as a judge for numerous shows. He taught at The John C. Campbell Folk School and The Arrowmont School and had served as President of Florida Craftsmen and as the American Craft Council Southeast Representative. Ferguson passed away on April 13, 2017.