By Joan C. McKinney, director, Office of University Communications

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Josh Pickens, a newly employed associate professor of art at Campbellsville University, will be the first guest artist at the Pence-Chowning Art Gallery, 205 University Drive, Campbellsville, Ky. this fall.

Pickens' exhibit, titled “Acetylsalicylic Acid,” consists of functional pottery that is coil-built. Coil-building is the process by which ropes, or coils, of clay are stacked on top of one another and then blended together.

Pickens said he prefers this process because it is “slow and methodical, and it affords me time to consider what I'm doing and what I would like to do in the future.”

Pickens' background is woodworking and relief printmaking, and he treats his pieces the same way he would a block of wood.

He said he alters their surface with sandpaper, draws on them, carves into them and uses masking tape and glaze to create images, patterns and textures.

Pickens said functionality is important to him because it adds intimacy to his ceramics.

“While there is a physical separation in a gallery, once they're taken home, they're touched with mouths and hands and incorporated into daily lives and traditions,” he said.

Pickens is originally from Arkansas and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Ouachita Baptist University in 2004 and his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Arkansas in 2007.

He moved to Kentucky from Alabama where he served as associate professor of art at Judson College. His current focus is on ceramics and quilt making.

For more information on the Pence-Chowning Art Gallery, call (270) 789-5237.

At this time, masks are required for all in-person gatherings on the Campbellsville University campus. The university follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Commonwealth of Kentucky guidelines on best practices.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.