Ray Tomasso making paper two miles above sea level at an 1860's historic reenactment in Leadville, Colorado, 1984.
Biography / Chronology
1949
Ray Tomasso was born in Omaha, Nebraska and attended weekend classes at the Joslyn Art Museum as a boy.
1967
Graduated from Omaha's North High.
1967-1971
Attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha studying with Sidney Buchanan (sculpture), Wayne Higby (ceramics), Tom Majeski (printmaking) and Peter Hill (painting). From 1969 to 1971 was a recipient of the Bertha Megendohlt Hatz Art Scholarship Award.
1969
Introduction to hand papermaking, which becomes the major focus of work.
1971
Awarded a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree with a minor in Education by the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
1972
Graduate study in sculpture with Sidney Buchanan, University of Nebraska at Omaha.
1972-1973
Graduate study in printmaking with John de Martelly, Michigan State at East Lansing.
1973-1974
Graduate study in printmaking with James Butler and ceramics with Dan Anderson, Southern Illinois at Edwardsville.
1975
Forms his Inter-Ocean Curiosity Studio in Omaha to pursue fine art, papermaking, printmaking and letterpress printing.
1978
Recipient of a scholarship from the Anderson Ranch Art Foundation in Snowmass, Colorado.
1977-1979
Graduate study in printmaking with Clinton Cline and Robert R. Ecker, University of Colorado at Boulder.
1979
Awarded a Masters in Fine Arts by the University of Colorado at Boulder.
1981 to 1995
Traveled internationally studying paper history, materials and techniques.
1980
Located his studio in Englewood, Colorado.
1986
Traveled to Düren, Germany, to join in founding of the International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA), the world’s leading organization of paper artists headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland.
1986-1990
Served as IAPMA founding Board Member and first Vice President.
1990-1992
Served as IAPMA's second organizational President.
Present
Works as a professional fine artist and proprietor of his Inter-Ocean Curiosity Studio.