Robert (Bob) Briscoe, '67
Bob Briscoe grew up just down the street from Donnelly. He attended the Cathedral of St. Peter School and Rockhurst High School before coming to Donnelly, where an elective art appreciation class changed his career plans. He went on to earn a bachelor’s in economics from Kansas State University and used those skills to become an independent artist. Bob then pursued his passion for pottery, completed several apprenticeships and established multiple pottery studios. He built a national reputation, and his award-winning work has been collected by many museums, including the Smithsonian.
Bob’s passion for mentoring young artists led him to open his studios not only to fellow potters, but to anyone interested in learning to work with clay. He also co-founded the Saint Croix Valley Pottery Tour and donated partial proceeds to support young artists. The event has inspired 30 similar events around the U.S.
In the words of his nominator, “a fortuitous decision to take a fine arts class led Bob to a lifetime as a passionate and creative potter and world-renowned professional artist.”