Zenclay showcases WVU Ceramics Dept.

Ceramics and other creative works by West Virginia University students are currently on display at Zenclay.

Approximately 85 works ranging from pottery, sculptures, drawings and photography are all available to view at the gallery, located at 2862 University Ave.

Student work is available on all three floors of the gallery, said Shoji Satake, assistant professor and ceramics area coordinator of the Division of Art and Design at the College of Creative Arts.

"The students also have drawings and pictures that show the research they do to create the piece," Satake said.

Every work featured in the first and third floor galleries has been made within the Spring semester.

The second floor features photographs from the WVU ceramics program at the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute.

Photos chronicle experiences through the Division's summer program, which sends students to China to learn first-hand from skilled artisans in the town of Jingdezhen.

The town has a population of 1.2 million, with as many as 400,000 residents involved in the ceramics trade.

"We bring in all these master Chinese artisans who teach them all the traditional Chinese techniques that aren't taught here," Satake said. "(Students) meet these world-famous artists they wouldn't ordinarily get to meet."

Pieces are available for sale now, with all funds helping provide scholarships to the summer trips to China.

Satake encouraged community members to stop by and enjoy the work.

"There's a lot of sweat equity getting those displays in. I think (the students) did a really terrific job," he said. "There's some really good pieces. If people get a chance to go, it would be great to support a great, local establishment and see some great student work."