Beginning ceramic work as a youth, Jay began showing at small Midwestern art festivals where his unique, Zen-inspired technique quickly gained him a following. He moved to Key West in 1990 and began teaching ceramics at Florida Keys Community College. The popular program soon expanded to include Raku, ceramic mural design, and Japanese wood-firing. Gogin hosted visiting international artists, began leading cultural and educational trips to Europe, and organized many workshops, exhibits, and fundraisers. His ceramic masterpieces can be found in numerous public and private collections throughout the U.S. and in more than a dozen other countries.