Distinguished ceramics artist to present workshops, lecture

One of the leading figures in contemporary American ceramics will conduct a Visiting Artist Workshop Feb. 24-25 on the campuses of the University of Illinois Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College, with the public invited.

Chris Staley is a Distinguished Professor of Art at Pennsylvania State University, having taught there since 1990. His work is in many collections, including the Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery of the National Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He has traveled extensively as an artist-in-residence from Bezalel Academy in Israel to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine. His work has been included in several books, and he has authored several articles on ceramics and pottery in periodicals and journals.

A ceramics exhibit, featuring the work of UIS and LLCC students, will be on display in LLCC’s James S. Murray Gallery during with his visit. The gallery is located on the upper level of LLCC’s Menard Hall and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

His schedule includes (all open to the public):

Thursday, Feb. 24
9 - 11:30 a.m. Demonstration at UIS Ceramics Lab (Visual and Performing Arts Building)
1- 3:30 p.m. Demonstration at UIS Ceramics Lab
4 - 5:30 p.m. Critiques in Ceramics Exhibit at LLCC
5:30 – 7 p.m. Lecture at LLCC (Menard Hall, Room 2209) on his work, how it developed through his career, and the role of handmade pottery in today's society.

Friday, Feb. 25
9 - 11:30 a.m. Demonstration at UIS Ceramics Lab
1 - 3:30 p.m. Demonstration at UIS Ceramics Lab

Sponsored by: UIS Student Affairs, UIS Visual Arts, Lincoln Land Community College Visual Arts and the UIS Art Student League.

For more information contact Shane Harris, UIS visiting assistant professor of Visual Arts at 217/206-7548 or email saharris@uis.edu.