1914-1991
British artist Ronald John Petts was born in London but is considered a Welsh artist. He was best known for his engravings and stained-glass works.
He studied at Hornsey College of Art (1930–2) and then, between 1933-4, at Royal Academy Schools and Central School of Arts and Crafts.
When he married Brenda Chamberlain (also an artist) in 1935, they moved to Wales. After purchasing hand-operated printing press in 1937 he setup Caseg Press and started producing bookplates and greeting cards among others.
He worked for the Welsh Arts Council in Cardiff before becoming a lecturer in Design and Crafts including stained glass at Carmarthen Art College. His stained-glass works can be seen in Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue and various Welsh churches as well as in 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama that has ‘Wales Window for Alabama’ stained-glass window of a Black Christ.
In 1953 Petts was elected to Society of Wood Engravers and in 1957 became an Associate of Royal Society of Painter-Etchers & Engravers.
