Ruth is a person who has a talent for connecting people, institutions, and objects to stimulate creative ideas and contemplative thought. For years,  In her artwork, she has quietly assembled random materials–  repurposing them into objects that can be worn and/or buoyant bold art forms that encourage viewer enjoyment, examination and participation.

Ruth came to California in 1963 to study at California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC) where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1966. In 1969 she received an MFA in Glass from CCAC (now the California College of Arts) and simultaneously a MFA in Ceramics from Mills College. Ruth was responsible for setting up the Graduate Glass Program at CCAC.

In the summer of 1971 she helped start what would become the Pilchuck Glass School, in Stanwood, Washington with Dale Chihuly; receiving major support from Anne Gould Hauberg and John Hauberg, along with a $2,000 grant from the Union of Independent Colleges of Art

Ruth received a Rockefeller Fellowship in Museum Studies at the deYoung Museum and has worked in museums both in Hawaii and the Bay Area; The Honolulu Academy of Arts, Judiciary History Center, Waipahu Cultural Garden Park and Plantation Village, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and the San Francisco Airport Museum.

She also has served on many boards and commissions: City and County of Honolulu Arts Commission, Hawaii Museums Association, Western Association of Museums, Association of Moving Image Archivist, and the national Institute of Museums and Library Services.  Ruth served on the WEAD Board from 2014-2016 and had a pivotal role in transforming WEAD into a 501c3 nonprofit organization, for which WEAD is eternally grateful.