Arts & Culture

UK Donovan Scholar/Artist Exhibits in National Show

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2015)  A piece of art by University of Kentucky Donovan Scholar Barbara Steinrock was selected to exhibit in the fifth annual Workhouse Clay National, held Aug. 1-Sept. 13, in Lorton, Virginia. Steinrock was one of only 47 artists across the nation asked to display her work in the show, and one of only two from Kentucky.

The Workhouse Clay National 2015 featured functional and/or sculptural ceramic artworks that promote the breadth of contemporary ceramic artwork being created throughout the U.S. This year's 47 featured artists were selected by juror Anne Currier from a pool of 495 submissions. Currier is a clay artist and professor of ceramic art at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Steinrock's selected piece is titled "Africa: One Body." 

Located in a former prison that served Washington, D.C., the Workhouse Arts Center is a nonprofit dedicated to providing outstanding visual and performing arts, arts education and history programs. The art center is home to galleries, studios for artists, classrooms and performance halls.

A Lexington resident, Steinrock was first introduced to clay in college and fell in love with the medium. The Donovan Scholar, who has been taking ceramic classes at UK School of Art and Visual Studies since 2009, is now creating ceramic sculpture after a 30-year career as art director for WKYT-TV.

Steinrock's years in advertising have an influence on her work. She uses universal symbols and iconography in her pieces to communicate her message by relating to the experiences and associations of the viewer. Inspirations come from headlines and recurring societal themes.

At UK, Steinrock currently studies ceramics with Professor Bobby Scroggins. She has previously studied with UK faculty and artists Bob Shay and Hunter Stamps.

The UK School of Art and Visual Studies, at the UK College of Fine Arts, is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of art studioart history and visual studies and art education.

The Donovan Fellowship for Academic Students provides an opportunity for persons aged 65 and older to become students at UK by enrolling in any courses listed in the university's general catalog and the Kentucky Virtual University. Donovan Fellows may audit classes, take classes for credit but not work toward a degree, or take classes for credit and be a degree candidate. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu