IN MEMORY OF JOHN KOTELLY

The James Renwick Alliance for Craft mourns the loss of John Kotelly, a longtime member, board leader, collector, and devoted supporter of contemporary craft. John died on July 5 at his home in Washington, D.C., at the age of 87.

John served JRACraft for many years as a member of the Board of Directors and as board president from 2003 to 2005. Along with his wife, Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, he participated enthusiastically in JRACraft’s programs and offered generous support to the organization and its mission. Their presence, commitment, and shared love of craft enriched the JRACraft community over many decades.

John and Colleen began collecting studio glass in 1978. What began as an interest in art glass grew into a deep passion for contemporary studio craft and sustained involvement with many of the field’s artists and institutions. In addition to his leadership at JRACraft, John served on the Advisory Council of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass and on the Smithsonian American Art Museum Commission from 2006 to 2017. John and Colleen also established an endowment supporting exhibitions and programs at the Renwick Gallery.

John was equally distinguished in his professional life. After earning an engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he pursued a law degree at Georgetown University. He went on to serve as an assistant United States attorney for the District of Columbia and as special litigation counsel in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. His work included several nationally prominent prosecutions, and in 1979 he received the Justice Department’s John Marshall Award for Trial Litigation. He later spent more than 30 years in private practice at Dickstein Shapiro, focusing on litigation and criminal defense. Colleagues remembered him as a thoughtful, precise, fair, and deeply respected lawyer—as well as an urbane, witty, and charming friend.
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John is survived by Colleen, his beloved wife of 55 years, as well as his extended family. We extend our deepest sympathy to Colleen and to all who knew and loved him. JRACraft is grateful for John’s leadership, generosity, and lasting contributions to our community and to the field of American craft.

Glass artist William Morris with John Kotelly at Spring Craft Weekend 2006.