Jack Prip was born in the United States in 1922, but was raised in Denmark. A five year apprenticeship in silversmithing began at age fourteen. In 1948 Jack returned to the States to teach silversmithing at the School for American Craftsmen (now School for American Crafts) in Alfred, NY. When the School made the move to Rochester, NY, Jack moved with it.

During the next two years Frans Wildenhain, Tage Frid and Jack begain thinking about an outlet for their work. Jack had become acquainted with Ronald Pearson and his work while at Alfred. He encouraged Ron to come to Rochester and be a partner in what was to be Shop One. He and Ron also formed Prip-Pearson, a business that designed and sold jewelry through Shop One and other outlets.

In 1957 Jack moved his family to Massachusetts to become a design consultant to Reed and Barton. He returned to teaching in 1963 at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI. Throughout his career Jack received many commissions and awards. He was made a Fellow of the American Crafts Council in 1977 and received their Gold Metal in 1992.

 

Read this feature article about Jack Prip written by Ron Pearson

for craft horizon 1973