John Takehara was an influential artist and advocate of the artistic community and arts education. Takehara advanced the knowledge of contemporary ceramics through his teaching, workshops, exhibitions and publications. He was a masterful ceramist whose dedication and commitment was widely respected. He was born in Korea and received an education degree from Walla Walla College and a master of arts degree from Los Angeles State College (now UCLA). Takehara was offered a position at Montana State University and then a teaching position at Boise State University in 1968. His ceramics are on long-term display at the Boise Art Museum, called the John Takehara Gallery.