October 14, 2015
15-245

Jessica Pope
Communications and Media Relations Coordinator

Ceramics Exhibition Features Works by 13 Artists, Community Workshops Oct. 19-Nov. 6

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State University Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery will celebrate the opening of Influence: History in Making, an exhibition of ceramics, with an artist lecture at 5 p.m. and reception from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19. The show will run through Friday, Nov. 6.

Influence: History in Making features works by 13 artists/educators from across the United States — Glen Blakeley, Shane Christensen, Susan Harris, Brian Jensen, John Neely, and Mark Talbert of Utah; Karl Borgeson and Charlie Olson of Wisconsin; Stephen Heywood of Florida; Chuck Johnson, Steve Kemenyffy, and Lee Rexrode of Pennsylvania; and Michael T. Schmidt of Georgia.

The opening lecture will be led by four of the artists — Heywood, an associate professor of ceramics at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville; Schmidt, a professor of art and head of the Department of Art at Valdosta State University; Christensen, an assistant professor of art at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah; and Jensen, an assistant professor of art at Utah Valley University in Orem. These artists met as Master of Fine Arts students at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and several years ago formed an art collective known as The Firm.

As part of Influence: History in Making, The Firm will conduct workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, and Thursday, Oct. 21, in Fine Arts Building Room 1054, also known as the Ceramics Studio. The workshops are free of charge and open to faculty, staff, and students, as well as the general public. Attendees are welcome to stay all day or come and go as needed.  

“We want everyone to feel welcome,” said Schmidt. “All four artists will be demonstrating simultaneously. It will be fantastic, something for everyone.”

Workshop attendees should visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/auxiliary-services/parking/ to obtain a visitor’s parking pass.

VSU’s Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery is located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. Admission is free of charge. 

Contact Julie Bowland at (229) 333-5835 or jabowlan@valdosta.edu to learn more or to schedule a guided tour of the exhibition. Contact Michael T. Schmidt at (229) 333-5835 or mschmidt@valdosta.edu to learn more about The Firm.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/art/

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/

http://thefirmceramics.com/thefirmceramics/main.html

https://www.facebook.com/thefirmceramics

https://www.facebook.com/VSU-Fine-Arts-Gallery-133203592765/timeline/


Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Goal 5: Develop and enhance Valdosta State’s human and physical resources.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.

Newsroom