Ceramicist Val Cushing to Jury
UNCA's 35th Annual Student Art Exhibition

Preeminent American ceramicist Val Cushing will be on the UNC Asheville campus April 11-12. While here, Cushing will give a public talk and jury UNCA’s student art exhibition. The events are free and open to the public.

Cushing will discuss and show slides of his recent work at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in UNCA’s Humanities Lecture Hall. The focus of the talk will be Cushing’s signature style: vessels that are subtly glazed with concave and convex shapes combined in one form, often with lids which sit within the pot.

UNCA’s 35th Annual Juried Student Exhibition opening reception will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, in UNCA’s University Gallery, located on the first floor of Owen Hall. Exhibition awards and scholarship announcements will be made at 7:30 p.m. The exhibition will remain on view through April 30.

Cushing’s work is known internationally. His trademark vessels have been featured in every major ceramics book published in the last 25 years and in over 200 exhibitions. Cushing’s ceramic sculptures are included in the collections of the American Craft Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the International Museum of Ceramic Art in Japan.

Cushing earned a masters of fine arts degree in 1956 from Alfred University, long considered the finest ceramics program in America. After graduation, he returned to the program where he taught ceramics for 41 years. Cushing now works full-time in his studio, continues to exhibit his work and to conduct occasional lectures and workshops.

For more information, call UNCA's Art Department at 828/251-6559.

Media Contacts:

• Megan Wolfe, UNCA Assistant Professor of Art, 828/251-6876
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526