Russell Day
October 11, 1912 - January 14, 2019
Russell Day, artist, teacher, mentor and beloved friend, lived his life as a work of art. He died peacefully in Lacey, Washington on January 14, 2019 at the age of 106.
Russell was well known in the Pacific Northwest as a stained glass and jewelry artist, though his interests ranged from painting and drawing to textile design. To his friends and students, he was a gifted teacher and a man who infused his entire life with artistic pursuit. His clothing, his home, his worldwide travel, all expressed a delight in color, form and fine design. His life was about aesthetics.
Russell graduated with a degree in art from the University of Washington in 1940, completing a MFA degree at UW in the mid-1950’s. After a short stint teaching high school art, he became the first faculty member in art at Everett Community College. He built a department known for its progressive and disciplined approach, leading students to explore technique, content and context, and allowing each student to discover a unique artistic expression. Russell taught and mentored many students who have gained local and national reputations, including Chuck Close, Timothy Ely and Donn Tretheway. Dale Chihuly credits Russell with mentoring his work in glass.
In 1954, Russell founded Northwest Designer Craftsmen with other noted fine craft artists from the Pacific Northwest, including Robert Sperry, Evert Sodergren, and Ruth Penington. NWDC is still active today in its 65th year with some 190 members dedicated to promoting excellence of design and craftsmanship in fine craft. Russell was the organization’s last living founder. So many NWDC members took classes with Russell, benefited from his counsel, travelled with him across the world, and considered him a lifelong friend.
As his legacy, Russell’s glasswork and jewelry enriches the lives of many collectors across the country. His stained glass can be seen in the windows in Everett’s Congregational United Church of Christ.
Russell Day was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marjorie, a fellow teacher and avid world traveller.
