The artwork of Mary Rodd Furbee, a West Virginia University P.I. Reed School of Journalism adjunct professor who died in April 2004, has been compiled posthumously into a book that South Wind Publishing will soon release.

Artery,a collection of abstract paintings, is a hardbound book that features more than 40 images in full color.

Very few people were aware that Mary painted, and no one had any idea how prolific she was,said her husband, Mike Furbee.Publishing the book lets me share her images with lots of people who had no idea about this side of Marys personality.

Dana Coester, who teaches design and news at the SOJ , designed the book.Many artists work a lifetime and dont produce such a body of work,as Furbee did in the two short years before her death, Coester said.

The project includes a DVD that contains more than 60 more paintings that do not appear in the book. Over 100 images are included on the DVD .

The Benedum Gallery of the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown will have a showing of Furbees artwork that will run from April 5-22. An opening reception will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. April 8 at the MAC . A closing reception will be held April 22 on the anniversary of Furbees death from 6:30-9 p.m., also at the MAC .

SOJ faculty and staff honored Furbee by establishing the Mary Rodd Furbee Journalism Scholarship through the WVU Foundation. Furbee taught at the school for nine years.

Donations to the scholarship can still be sent to the Mary Rodd Furbee Journalism Scholarship, in care of the WVU Foundation, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507 . Please make checks payable to the WVU Foundation.

For information on how to donate, call 304-293-3505, ext. 5403.

Look for book project updates in March 2005 athttp://www.mfurbee.com. For more information about the gallery showing, call the MAC at 304-292-3325. For more information about the book, call Mike Furbee at 304-296-6460.