Jerk Werkmäster was born in Rättvik. He graduated from Mora Folk High School in 1915, and from there continued to studied at the Higher School of Art and Design in Stockholm (1916–19) and at the Academy of Fine Arts (1919–22).
Werkmäster was a true multi-talent. He was active in painting, woodcutting as well as ceramics, and he designed for at Böhlmark’s lamp factory. He was the artistic director at Nittsjö ceramics factory in Rättvik for more than thirty years (1933–67).
