Pharis studied ceramics at the University of Minnesota under Warren MacKenzie. Between 1971 and 1985, Pharis was employed by various universities, mostly in the American Midwest, as a visiting faculty member, sabbatical replacement and summer session faculty. During this time Pharis's work was featured in several group and two person shows as well as solo exhibitions. In 1985, Pharis became a professor in the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota, where he has also served as the Chair of the Department.[4]