James Houston is credited as the person who brought Inuit artwork, particularly their ancient art of stone carving, to the attention of collectors and museums, and it was Houston who introduced Inuit to the art of printmaking. Because of his efforts, the Inuits had prosperity and the outside world had new forms of art. He was also an author, film maker, designer, painter, and for 40 years, a designer for Steuben Glass for whom he created more than 120 pieces.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Houston studied art at age 11 with Arthur Lismer and later at the Ontario College of Art. After World War II, he studied life drawing in Paris at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere and engraving at Atelier 17 with William Hayter. In 1958-59, he studied...