Rudy Autio is one of the most masterful and influential artists working with clay in the United States today.  Born in Butte, Montana in 1926, Autio has lived in his native state throughout most of his career.  He headed the ceramics area at the University of Montana for twenty-eight years and is now retired as Professor Emeritus of the School of Fine Arts.  Prior to his appointment at the University of Montana, Autio was a founding resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana.

Autio received a Tiffany Award in Crafts in 1963, the American Ceramic Society Art Award in 1978, and a National Endowment  grant in 1980, enabling him to work and lecture at the Arabia Porcelain Factory and the Applied Arts University in Helsinki, Finland.  In 1981 he was the first recipient of the Governor's Award and named outstanding visual artist in the state of Montana.

He is a Fellow member of the American Crafts Council, Honorary Member of the National Council of Education in the Ceramic Arts, and recipient of the honorary Doctorate of Art from the Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore.  In November of 1999 he was awarded the American Craftsmen's Gold Medal in ceremonies at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC.

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