Chronology

A chronological timeline of the life of artist Jay Lindsay (1943-2015).

1943

June 14, 1943. Melvin Jay Lindsay is born in Eugene, Oregon to Curtis Allen Lindsay (1917-1994) and Zelma Alice Dickson (1921-2008).

1950

August 12, 1950. Sister Roxanne is born, Eugene, Oregon.

1960

April 4, 1960. Brother Martin is born, Eugene, Oregon.

1961

June, 1961. Graduates from South Eugene High School, Eugene, Oregon.

1962

August 20, 1962. Brother Patrick is born, Eugene, Oregon.

September, 1962. First attends University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts studying drawing, painting and ceramics. His work is influenced by professors Jack Wilkinson, Bob James and Dave Foster.

1964

June 14, 1964. Marries Darya Zoe Tucker in Milton-Freewater, Oregon.

1966

April 6, 1966. Illustrates University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman’s 20-page booklet, “Jogging, an adult physical fitness program.” Bowerman expanded this self-published booklet into a national best-seller and co-founded Nike, Inc.

1966

June, 1966. Graduates from the University of Oregon, with a Bachelor of Science degree. Seeks advice from then Fine and Applied Arts Department head, Jack Wilkinson, who tells him to “Move to New York and do your artwork and never come back!”

1966-1968

Drafted into US Army. In boot camp at Fort Lewis, he declares himself a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, and will not bear arms. Court-martialed for refusing a direct order and imprisoned at United States Disciplinary Barracks, Leavenworth, Kansas. While there he writes, paints murals, teaches art classes. Acts as editor to the in-house publication Hot Shots. Sentence is eventually overturned and Lindsay is honorably discharged.

1970

Moves from Eugene, Oregon to become a full-time artist. Settles in Holmes, New York. Establishes a pottery studio in Garrison, New York.

1970-1985

Teaches pottery for children, advanced ceramics and manages the pottery studio at Garrison Art Center, serves on the board of directors.

1971

Begins travel sketchbooks with a trip to Mexico.

Solo exhibition. Ed Levine Workshop, Bennington, Vermont.

June 5, 1971. Demonstrates potting at Putnam Community Hospital Fair, Carmel, New York.

1972

June 19, 1972. Daughter Zoe is born in Poughkeepsie, New York.

1970s

Establishes studio at Moss Hill Farms, East Fishkill, New York, at the invitation of his cousin Erik Johns, an established interior designer and party decorator.

1973

Solo exhibition. Gallimaufry Gallery, Croton, New York.

1974-1984

Exhibits ceramics in group shows, and is represented by Elements Gallery, New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut.

1974

Travels to India.

Solo exhibition. Gallimaufry Gallery, Croton, New York.

Exhibits ceramics in group show. Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York City.

August 10-12, 1974. Demonstrates potting at Putnam County Youth Fair, Carmel, New York.

1975

Exhibits ceramics in group show. Fairtree Gallery, New York City, New York.

November 15-23, 1975. Exhibits watercolors from recent trip ‘out west.’ Group painting show, Garrison Art Center, Garrison, New York.

1976

June 24 – July 5, 1976. Invitational exhibit. Putnam Arts Council Photography & Pottery Exhibit, Belle Levine Art Center, Mahopac, New York.

July, 1976. Travels with his brothers Pat and Martin, and friend Bob Emmons, to Joshua Tree National Park, California to sketch and paint.

1977

January 11 – February 28, 1977. Solo exhibition of ceramics. Craft Gallery at Gallimaufry, Croton, New York.

Exhibits ceramics in group show. BFM Gallery, New York City, New York.

1978

Exhibits works in interior design show. Bloomingdale’s, New York City, New York.

Exhibits ceramics in group shows. BFM Gallery, New York City, New York.

October 7-27, 1978. Exhibits ceramics in group show with Harvey Kidder, Craig Marquette, Anne Wolff, Doug Sassi and Carris Pottery. “Quiet Moments,” Scarborough Gallery of Art and Crafts, Chappaqua, New York.

1979

Dec 1-2, 1979. Exhibits work in group show. “11th Annual Holiday Craft Sale,” Garrison Art Center, Garrison, New York.

1980

Travels to Arizona to sketch and paint.

December 6-7, 1980. Exhibits work in group show. “12th Annual Holiday Craft Sale,” Garrison Art Center, Garrison, New York.

December 6-21, 1980. Exhibits work in large craft fair benefiting listener-supported radio station WBAI. “Ninth Annual Holiday Crafts Fair,” Ferris Booth Hall, Columbia University, Manhattan, New York.

c1981

October 1981. Solo exhibition. “Jay Lindsay: a Special Exhibit,” Yamato House, Lenox, Massachusetts.

1980-1985

Director, Garrison Art Center, Garrison, New York.

1985

Takes position in enlarging department at Tallix Art Foundry, Beacon, New York — at the time the most important art bronze foundry in America. Ends up head of the department, and team leader on their largest projects. Retires in 2002.

1986

July 9-27, 1986. Exhibits pottery in dual show, with brush painting by Glory Brightfield (1942-1995). “Oriental Influence,” Mount Gulian Society, Beacon, New York.

1987

Travels to Baja California, Mexico.

September 10-25, 1987. Exhibits pottery in dual show, with brush painting and wearable art by Glory Brightfield. “Silk and Stone in the Mountains,” College Center Gallery, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York.

1988

Travels to China.

Exhibits work in group show. “Third Annual Tallix Art Show,” Garrison Art Center, Garrison, New York.

1989

Exhibits work in group show. “Fourth Annual Tallix Art Show,” Garrison Art Center, Garrison, New York.

1990

Travels to Greece.

February 17-26, 1990. Exhibits work in group show of sculpture, painting and graphics. “Fifth Annual Tallix Art Show,” which featured works from 38 artists employed at Tallix Art Foundry. Garrison Art Center, Garrison, New York.

1992

Travels to Spain and Morocco with daughter Zoe.

1993

April 3-30, 1993. Two-person show. ‘Oriental Simplicity and Elegance,’ Chinese brush painting by Gina Peluse and ceramics by Jay Lindsay. Mid-Hudson Arts & Science Center, Poughkeepsie, New York.

1994

July 14-16, 1994. Exhibits work in the 37th Annual Guilford Handcrafts Exposition, Guilford, Connecticut.

1995

September 15, 1995. Glory Brightfield is hit and killed while bicycling, Palm Beach, Florida.

October 15 – November 5, 1995. Exhibits work in group show of sculpture and paintings. “Works by 21 Artists Employed at Tallix Art Foundry,” Northern Westchester Center for the Arts, Mt Kisco, New York.

1996

Travels to Paris, France.

1997

Travels to Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre), Chihuahua, Mexico.

1999

Travels to India for a second time, sketching and painting.

2001

Travels to Colorado to sketch and paint.

Dec 11, 2001. Cousin Erik Johns dies in a fire at his home, Moss Hill Farms, East Fishkill, New York.

2002

Undergoes triple-bypass heart surgery, forcing his retirement from Tallix.

2004

June 4-6, 2004. Teaches “Kilnbuilding,” hands-on workshop building an 80-cubic-foot, sprung-arch kiln, Wainscott, New York. Sponsored by Clay Art Guild of the Hamptons.

July 22 – August 23, 2004. Exhibits ceramics with Jon Keenan and Diane Mayo. “Masters of the Art,” group show from members of the Clay Art Guild of the Hamptons, Celadon Clay Art Gallery, Water Mill, New York.

August 7-23, 2004. Exhibits ceramics with Nancy Robbins and Mary Jaffe. “All in the Family and the Gallery Collection,” group show of painting, sculpture and ceramics. Elaine Benson Gallery & Sculpture Garden, Bridgehampton, New York.

2005

Travels to Argentina and Chile.

2006

Travels to Baja California, Mexico.

2007

Travels to South Africa to build a pottery studio and kiln at God’s Golden Acre orphanage.

2009

Travels to Peru, Brazil and the Amazon.

2010

Second trip to the Amazon, visits the Yanomami.

2012

Travels to Costa Rica to sketch and paint.

October 2012. Suffers massive heart attack while traveling to Nantucket.

2013

Travels to San Diego to recuperate, sketch and paint.

Book of his works is published, Jay Lindsay: Travel Sketchbooks, edited by Kenneth O’Connell and Robert Emmons.

Oct 11 – November 16, 2013. Solo exhibition of sketchbooks, ceramics and sculpture. “Sculptural Sketches in Bronze and Clay,” Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden, North Salem, New York.

2014

March 2014. Travels to Japan with Kenneth O’Connell to visit master potters, their studios and pottery museums, sketch and paint.

2015

September 27, 2015. Dies from heart failure at Putnam County Hospital, Carmel, New York.