Ruth Tamura graduated with a MA from CCAC (now CCA) in 1969.  She was the first person at CCA to receive a MA in glass. In 1971, Ruth with Dale Chihuly, co-founded the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington. She taught at the summer programs there in 1971 and 1972.  Ruth received a Rockefeller Fellowship from the de Young Museum 1974. The program trained professionals in the field of museum work who have either curatorial or community-bases interests.  After this fellowship, Ruth worked at the SF Airport Museum.  This began her move from art studio work to museum and community programming.

While pursuing her MA from CCAC 1967-68, Ruth worked as a technical Teaching Assistant (TA) in the CCAC glass studio, teaching first time students.  When Marvin Lipofsky went on sabbatical, Ruth Tamura was the acting head of the Glass Program, teaching all the CCAC glass classes while he was away.  During that period, Ruth developed and proposed the CCA graduate glass degree curriculum that was later adopted.  A version of this curriculum is still used today.  Ruth Left CCA upon Marvin Lipofsky’s return.

For more information about the founding of Pilchuck, see the following publication:
American Studio Glass: 1960-1990
Martha Drexler Lynn (Aug 12, 2004)
Hudson Hills,  2004
ISBN-10: 1555952399
ASIN: B005M4S0B0