John C. Jackson – Studio Artist in Wood

Sculptor, Fine Furniture Designer/Craftsman, Cabinet Maker

1967

  • Attended Philadelphia College of Art (PCA), summer session
  • Accepted into freshman foundation courses
  • Elective in ceramics

1968-69 Sophomore Year

  • Sophomore major in crafts and woodworking
  • Studied wood working with Dan Jackson and Bob Worth
  • Ceramics with Bill Daley
  • Jewelry with Olaf Skoogfors
  • 3D design with “Pop” Renzetti
  • Photography elective
  • Co-founded Johnny’s Dance Band with classmates Chris Darway and Paul Messing.

1969-70 Junior Year

  • Majored in woodworking and ceramics
  • More Johnny’s Dance Band (JDB)

1970-73 – On leave of absence from PCA with JDB

  • Renovated a stone barn in Geigertown, PA
  • Woodshop monitor at Drexel University, Phila.
  • Granted BFA in Crafts/Wood from PCA on the basis of a private kitchen commission installed in Chester County, PA.

1973-78

  • Re-formed Johnny’s Dance Band
  • Performed regionally
  • Recorded first album on the RCA/Windsong label in 1977
  • Left JDB to form Boomer, another Philadelphia band in 1979
  • Recorded demos and retired from music until 2002

1979-81

  • Established Jackson Woodworks, Chalfont, PA, Bucks County
  • Furniture and cabinetry commissions
  • Adjunct faculty teaching wood and ceramics majors at Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA
  • Part time lecturer at Philadelphia College of Art, wood majors and Ceramics electives
  • Co-founder of Guild X in Quakertown, PA
  • Woodworking shows at a cooperative gallery

1981-89

  • Sculpted (40) one-of-a-kind, hand carved wooden whales
  • Relocated shop to Cedarville, Chester County in 1983 and then to West Reading, PA in 1987 to present.

1988-92

  • Entrepreneur promoting “Real Little Whales” a realistic set of six species of whales designed for high volume production as educational toys, injection molded in vinyl and thermoplastic rubber
  • Endorsed by Cousteau Society, New England Aquarium, American Cetacean Society, etc.
  • Off-shoot included “The Great Whales”, hand painted half-models as display board sculptures
  • Programs suspended 1992. Currently for sale.

1992-2007

  • Furniture designer/craftsman/cabinetmaker for commercial and private commissions
  • Semi-retired Jackson Woodworks
  • Revived efforts as singer/songwriter/ producer/recording artist/performer

John C. Jackson’s creations as a studio artist in wood reside in private collections world wide.

Sculpture and furniture commissions always welcomed. Please contact the artist directly.