James H. Cottey, Jr.

Lives in Clinton, Arkansas (2008)M.F.A., Virginia Commonwealth University RichmondM. Education, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleB. Education, Arkansas A. & M. College, MonticelloA native Arkansan, James Cottey, has had a restless spirit. In college he studied engineering, sociology, and industrial arts. He received a master degree in Education from the University of Arkansas, did some teaching, worked for his father's frozen food business and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He eventually taught drafting and crafts in Helena for five years."I was overwhelmed in 1970 when the Arkansas Arts Center brought in the Objects U.S.A. exhibition," says Cottey, "it inspired me to want to build in a contemporary direction." There he saw new possibilities in the work of Sam Maloof and Wendell Castle. Feeling his design skills were lacking, he enrolled in Virginia Commonwealth University where he studied with Alphonse Mattia, and was influenced by the 19th century furniture maker Thonet and the Art Nouveau style. Upon returning to Arkansas in 1975, Cottey and his wife purchased land near Shirley. They built their own home nestled in the side of a hill and converted a barn into a studio. His first works were extremely sculptural, but he soon found that was time consuming and financially unrewarding. Everything he does is unique and original and he prefers to work for himself. He likes to enhance the grain of the wood and [his works are] known for the sinuous silhouette.Alan DuBois, Curator of Decorative ArtsArkansas: Year of American Craft 1993 exhibition catalogue