FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 3, 2009

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU plans campus, community ‘Mini-Mud Ceramic Workshop’ 

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – More than 100 members of the campus and local community are expected to join Slippery Rock University’s third annual “Mini-Mud Ceramic Workshop” March 13-14. The workshop will include demonstrations by Kirk Mangus, professor of art and head of ceramics at Kent State University.

            The free, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. event will be in the SRU Ceramic Studio.

            “This is a chance for anyone interested in ceramic arts to get a feel for the art,” said Richard Wukich, professor of art at SRU. “We open the studio, provide the equipment and the ‘mud’ to allow participants to try their hand. Students learn to use the pottery wheels, learn about firing and learn some basic and advanced techniques. We invite everyone to join in.” 

            Mangus, a Sharon native, will demonstrate a variety of pottery techniques at both sessions. Saturday’s events including a hands on workshop making use of all the studio’s ceramic equipment. Participants will be asked to exhibit their pre-made works from 5-6 p.m. March 13 at SRU’s Martha Gault Art Gallery. 

            Mangus, who participated in the 2001 Panevezys International Symposium in Lithuania, has lectured and presented workshops in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. His work has received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, the McKnight Fellowship and a NCECA Travel Award to China.

           In Mangus received a National Endowment for the Arts Grant to work with the Yes Program in Akron, Ohio, in which teenage youths painted a 200-foot mural depicting their ancestors. He has taught at KSU since 1985.

           He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design earning his bachelor of fine arts and received his master of fine arts from Washington State University. He also studied at the Penland School of Crafts and at “Earth, Air, Fire, Water“ workshops. Since 1976, Mangus has exhibited his work throughout the U.S., Finland, France, Korea, Japan, China, India, Canada, Mexico and Italy.

           The workshops are sponsored by the SRU Potters Guild and funded by the SRU Student Government Association and Cooperative Activities.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.