He graduated from UW-L in 1969 with a degree in art education. In 1973, he completed his Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture at UW-Madison through the Ford Foundation Fellowship.
After a brief time at Emporia State University in Kansas, Lowe returned to teach at UW-Madison in 1974. He became a full professor of sculpture in 1989 and served as chairman of the art department from 1992 to 1995.