Rick Dillingham (American, 1952-1993) Earthenware Pot

Provenance Note: Charles E. Balbach (1934-2024) was a respected Western New York civic leader, arts patron, and dedicated collector whose leadership left a lasting mark on the region’s cultural institutions. A graduate of Harvard University, Balbach combined intellectual rigor with a deep commitment to public service and philanthropy. He served for more than two decades on the board of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery), including a term as President of the Board. During his tenure, he helped guide long-range planning initiatives and strengthen institutional stewardship at a pivotal moment in the museum’s evolution. A thoughtful and disciplined collector, Balbach believed strongly in public access to art and in the responsibility of collectors to support the institutions that sustain cultural life. His legacy reflects a lifetime of civic engagement, connoisseurship, and enduring dedication to the arts.

Rick Dillingham (American, 1952-1993)
Rick Dillingham was an American sculptor and master ceramicist known for his deep engagement with contemporary ceramics and the pottery traditions of North American Indigenous cultures. Born in Lake Forest, Illinois, he earned a BA from the University of New Mexico in 1974 and an MFA from the Claremont College of Arts and Crafts in 1979. Dillingham was a recipient of several National Endowment for the Arts Visual Artist Fellowships. In addition to his studio practice, he was a respected scholar and dealer of historic and contemporary Native American pottery, particularly Pueblo ceramics.