Born 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee.
1969, BFA Wayne State university, Detroit, MI.
1971, MFA Yale University, New Haven, CT.

Associate Professor, RISD, for over 30 years.

Oates has had over 100 shows of paintings, etchings, sculptures and musical instruments. He is in many collections in the USA & other countries. He is the author of volumes of poetry, 9 books, numerous lectures and 2 television appearances.

Oates exploration into inventing, making and performing on his musical instruments has to date produced 2 CD's, "Shaman Walk" & "Shaman Ride".