Cannon Beach

As a ceramic’s student I discovered a teacher whose whole life was engaged in Creativity. His building of relationships in family and beyond continue to have affect. The image I have for my own life is greatly enabled by examples from Ray Grimm.

During the late sixties Ray participated in an experimental glass workshop in Ohio and brought back a new direction for some of his energy. School allowed only a few hours of his time to be used along with a budget of zero to develop a glass program. He begged for space from the maintenance department and collected outside resources to start class.

Ray’s example inspired the courage to begin my own experiment with glass in 1971. Originally intended to have a five year duration, that experiment continues today having becomeA keystone of my own identity. Like so many of his students I owe thanks to the way he showed us to be naturally grounded in our work. I will always miss him and I love him.

Jim KingwellIcefire
Glassworks116 East Gower StreetP. O. Box 382
Cannon Beach, OR 97110

Provence France

Some wonderful luck brought Ray and Jere to our Provence home and studio. Not only luck but also Ray's craving for working with clay, for experimenting, for sharing, even far from his own studio. This first encounter has been so inspiring ; I remember Jean-Nicolas saying "I only hope that this same passion for art and clay will still inhabit me when I get older".

Then it was our turn to come to Portland, once, twice. And certainly feel that we were somehow part of the family, part of the neighborhood, part of the city… even though living such a long way away. Just because of those many details that made us so alike, in everyday life as much as in our involvement in ceramics : the farmer's market, the Vespa ride to the French bakery, the garden and the hens, fixing things and improvising solutions.

There is a shared word for defining some of Ray's and Jean-Nicolas's work, whimsical (used as such in French for lack of equivalent word), which might well explain what was going on between those two. This cherished picture of Ray might also be another good clue.

Thank you Ray (and Jere) for making us feel so warmly welcome.

Viviane Hamon and Jean-Nicolas Gerard

Weather Machine

I was lucky enough to get a chance to work with Ray and Jere and the Ponzis and others on the Weather Machine project when I was the ED at the Square. I think the Weather Machine is among the most under-valued public art installations in the city. The complexity of the elements, the sculptural finesse, the mythological storylines were worthy of the highest praise. Sadly, there was not as much appreciation, in my opinion, as the work deserved. Despite that, I had the gift of the Grimms. Ray and Jere were cheerful and humorous, inventive and innovative, always willing to come back to tinker with the construction when it needed attention. I have a hard time thinking of them separately because they were so genuinely partners at the deepest level.



I was sad to read that Ray has journeyed on to more elevated climes. I send my sympathy and gratitude both to Jere and the family. We were blessed by his presence.


Regards,
David Porter

From Phil Eagle

Dear Jere and all you darling kids.

My memory bank is packed with delightful memories of my visits to your charming home, but tonight I must talk about Ray and his teaching,that amazingly talented and humble craftsman who created a studio and an atmosphere of complete creative freedom for all of his students.

With never a negative attitude in the five years I was fortunate enough to be in his classroom he would provide ANYTHING I requested as he knew I was serious and dedicated. He taught by example, he would give a striking demonstration of his proficiency where he was truly one with the wheel and clay.

I would marvel at the forms he could create with such fluidity, these natural shapes would evolve never forced or eclectic, he copied no-one!!

The results were always a Grimm, unique and fresh and masculine as hell, oh what a potter, oh what a Dad,husband and friend.....I loved him and admired him, such an genuine and caring guy, how lucky I was to stumble into that old Lincoln high building and meet a man who would give me a place to work with no demands just true encouragement. Sure going to miss you ole Pal!

Most fondly, Phil Eagle class PSU 65'

From a Student (now a Teacher)

Just like a potter that takes the fresh, raw clay in his hands, Ray took us naive, fledgling bird/potters and formed a bunch of vibrant, enthusiastic artist/teachers who will pass on his legacy of clay to the next generation. He told me that I couldn't quit the art education program, and in large part, because of his faith in me, I kept going and am still teaching to this day.









I feel so lucky that I was a student of Rays. I will treasure his famous raku lady pot and his pressed slab box that he marked low enough so us poor students could afford them.


Thank you Professor Grimm for the direction of a life-time.


Linda Klaus
Bachelor of Science in Ceramics 1987
Portland State Universiry

Florida Grimms

From Gary and Debby Grimm in Miami Florida:


Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in this difficult time. Uncle Ray will be missed. We can only hope that out of sadness will begin a celebration of Ray’s rich and adventure filled life. All of us East Coast Grimms have one or more of Uncle Ray’s artistic creations proudly displayed in our homes. He will always be remembered in our hearts.

-Gary Grimm

Mary Lou Court Apartments

My name is Steve Borts, and my parents are Dick and Carol Ann Borts. We lived in the same apartment complex in northwest Portland as Ray & Jere did in the late 50s or early 60s. They became friends, along with some of the other young families in the complex.

I have only vague memories of that time because I was only 4 or 5 years old when we moved away. I know that the Grimm family also moved, but I don't know who moved first

I remember going to visit at at a large, older white house in northwest Portland, and later, a more modern home (custom-built perhaps?) in a wooded setting, also in northwest Portland.

One of my Dad's favorite stories concerned Ray's home-brew beer. Ray was apparently quite proud of it, and served it at a backyard picnic to my Dad, who did not care for it. My Dad poured it out in a flower bed when Ray wasn't looking, whereupon Ray noticed his glass was empty and promptly brought a refill! This apparently happened several times until my Dad just pretended not to be thirsty any more.

I was pleased to see the pipe in Ray's hand in the photo in The Oregonian . According to our family lore, Ray and my Dad designed and made those pipes. I have one of the prototypes that was made of pine or some softwood, and one of my sisters ended up with my Dad's pipe after he died 11 years ago. My Dad really liked that pipe, but said it got very hot very quickly because it was so thin.


Anyway, I was sorry to see Ray's obit in the paper, but please know that he touched the lives of people that you've never even heard of. My parents always spoke of him in positive ways, and looked back at the time in the apartment as some of the "good old days."

-Steve Bort