Posted on Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The ¾¨Ó㴫ý Art Gallery will exhibit "Kathy Koop 1973-2010 RetroSpectacular: Variations in Clay and Wood" Feb. 17-April 17. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
The opening reception is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 5-7 p.m. with an artist talk at 6 p.m.
Koop, ¾¨Ó㴫ý professor of art, will display works that are the result of nearly four decades of teaching, learning, and making art. The pursuit of her art has taken Koop from western Pennsylvania to Malaysia, Japan, and the Amazon to master and extend the techniques of others.
"It is an extraordinary privilege to share this large body of work with the College and the community," Koop said. "Many devoted people gave their time and energy to this project in support of ¾¨Ó㴫ý's strong liberal arts tradition. This is a gift from all of us to you, the audience. Enjoy the show!"
"The exhibit includes three pieces from her first undergraduate ceramics class to show how artistic talent and vision can grow with sustained work," said Dr. Sandra Webster, ¾¨Ó㴫ý professor of psychology and faculty development officer. "Kathy wanted the exhibition to encourage students of all majors to see how work develops over time."
The RetroSpectacular includes wheel-thrown functional ceramics such as teapots, jars, pitchers, and bowls; wall pieces that include large cacti, finely painted plates, and sculptures composed of altered cups and saucers; and six larger rustic chairs that represent her most recent work.
This exhibition is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Koop earned undergraduate and master of fine art degrees from Indiana University. Her work is included in public and private collections and has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
Contact Koop at (724) 946-7267, e-mail koopk@westminster.edu, or visit for more information about the exhibit.
