Ray
Day was born in New Albany,Indiana, on April 6,
1939.
Ray
holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marian College, Indianapolis,
IN (1961), and a Master of Fine Arts degree from The Catholic University
of America, Washington, DC (1964)
As
a teacher for 34 years at Our Lady of Providence
High School, Clarksville, IN, he developed Studio
Arts and Theatre Arts programs, produced and directed
drama and musical productions, taught Acting and
Theatre Production and served as designer and
technical director through 1988. He continued
teaching Studio Art until retiring in March 1996.
Following six years of full-time art work, Ray
returned to Providence in 2002 as Director of
Development and Institutional Advancement. He
managed all Marketing, Public Relations and Fund
Raising efforts for the school.
Following
a successful $4.5 million effort, Ray co-designed
and oversaw the building of the school's Sam &
Paula Robinson Performing Arts Center. The school
recognized his 39 years of service to the school
and it's visual and performing arts program by
naming the new experimental 'black box' classroom
theatre in his honor - the Ray Day Little Theatre. As of 2010, Ray continues part time at the school as webmaster and archivist.
As
an artist, Ray Day's love of transparent watercolor began in 1973.
He and his wife, Eileen, have published over forty-five print editions
through THE RAY DAY STUDIO. Six porcelain
limited edition plates were published by Blue River Mill Publishing
Company between 1986 and 1988. Two more were published by Gift Link,
Inc. in 1989.
In early 1989, Ray was invited by LILLIPUT
LANE of Penrith, England to create the AMERICAN
LANDMARKS collection of hand-painted miniature sculptures. By
1996, Ray became Creative Director, Lilliput Lane USA. Many special
pieces have been endorsed by the COCA-COLA
Company and the NATIONAL TRUST
for Historic Preservation. An limited edition piece is produced
for the annual DISNEYANA Collectibles Convention.
Ray created the CINDERELLA CASTLE Sculpture
and CINDERELLA CASTLE Giclee print
for Walt Disney World's 30th Anniversary.
Also his “Islands of Adventure Lighthouse” is showcased at the new Universal Studios’ “Islands of
Adventure” Theme Park in Orlando. See photos of all Ray Day sculptures at American Landmarks Archive.
Although his American Landmarks Collection was
retired in 2000, Ray Day continued to work directly
with Lilliput Lane in the UK to create works for
the Disney parks until 2005.
The
COLORFUL AMERICA COLLECTION was launched May 1,
2002 with the release of "A
DAY IN THE COUNTRY" giclée. The
English Collection, was published in August,
2000 and PRIDE OF THE ORCHARD
giclée was published in Spring-2001. Other
recent Ray Day prints include Victorian
Elegance”, (in support of the Howard Steamboat
Museum in Jeffersonville, IN) and
“Covered Bridge Golf Club”…the home course of
professional golfer, FUZZY
ZOELLER. A limited edition, co-signed by Ray
and Fuzzy, is still available to collectors.
Ray
has served on the Rural Landmarks Council
of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana.
Other services include President of the Kentucky
Watercolor Society, President of the Floyd
County Council for the Arts and member
of Theatre Advisory Council for Indiana
Arts Commission. Special editions of Ray Day
originals have been published by MedArt Associates
and Rock City Gardens.
Ray
and Eileen have a daughter, Jennifer, currently
teaching art at the secondary l level. She is
married to John Martin and have a daughter, Kalena
Awards:
"Arts Advocate Of The Year"
Given by the Southern Indiana Council For The Arts,
June 8, 2002
“An Artist of the Century”
Named by the Floyd County Council For the Arts in his
hometown
of New Albany, IN, May, 1999.
“Distinguished Alumni Award
for Professional Achievement Award”
Given by Marian
College, 1996.
“Harvest Mill” sculpture – 1994 Award of Excellence,
Collector Edition’s Magazine
Cover and feature story in Collector Editions, April 1993
Feature story in Collectors Mart, Oct 1991
Two covered bridge plates – "Best of Show",
South Bend Exposition 1988
“Coca-Cola Country” plate – "Best of Show",
Pasadena Plate Show 1988
Cover and feature story – Plate World magazine,
September 1988
Featured Artist, 1982 World Fair in Knoxville, TN
See
also:
Ray Day - The Painter
Ray Day - The Sculptor
_________________________________
RAY
DAY
ray@rayday.com
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