Oral History Interview with Jack Prip, January 3, 1997

Authors

Jack Prip, Rhode Island School of Design
Jonathan Bonner, Rhode Island School of DesignFollow
RISD Archives, Rhode Island School of DesignFollow
Frank Muhly

Files

Description

Interview of Jack Prip conducted by Jonathan Bonner from Prip's studio in Rehoboth, MA on January 3, 1997. Prip speaks of his experiences in Rochester before moving to RISD and teaching G.I.s in the Industrial Design and Jewelry + Metalsmithing departments. Prip also recalls his colleagues at RISD, such as Tage Frid and Norm Schulman. Along with this, Prip discusses the crafts movements in the United States and how the Metals and Glass departments changed during his time at RISD.

Biographical/Historical Note

John (Jack) Axel Prip (1922-2009) was a fourth-generation metalsmith who restarted the Jewelry and Metalsmithing department at the Rhode Island School of Design where he taught from 1963-1981. Smith served an apprenticeship with master silversmith Evald Nielsen and graduated from the Copenhagen Technical College in 1942 before setting up the Metalsmithing department at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Prip also worked as an industrial designer for Reed & Barton Silver Company.

Prip is interviewed by Jonathan Bonner, RISD alumni who studied with Prip and received his MFA in Sculpture in 1973. The interview takes place on January 3, 1997. In the interview, Prip discusses his teaching and design experience prior to coming to RISD, the development of the Jewelry and Metals program, and various individuals associated with the School during his time at RISD. Directed by Frank Muhly.

Recommended Citation

Prip, Jack; Bonner, Jonathan; Archives, RISD; and Muhly, Frank, "Oral History Interview with Jack Prip, January 3, 1997" (1997). RISD Oral History Project. 12.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/archives_oralhistories/12