West Virginia Universitys Mesaros Galleries will feature ceramics from the world-renowned Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in China beginning Thursday, Jan. 18.

The exhibit will be on view through March 10 at the Creative Arts Center.

In conjunction with the exhibit, visiting artists from China will present a panel discussion at 5 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Bloch Learning and Performance Hall. The opening reception for the exhibition will follow at 6 p.m. in the galleries.

Jingdezhen is regarded as Chinas finest ceramics art and design school. The schools faculty consists of Chinas most celebrated artists. The WVU Division of Arts partnership with Jingdezhen is the only program of its kind in the United States.

This exhibition of contemporary Chinese ceramic art from Jingdezhen gives insight into the evolution of Chinese ceramics as a global art form, said WVU curator Robert Bridges.

In the West, we have experienced the tradition of Chinese ceramic art filtered through Western sensibility, in museums and as the much-copied stereotypical ginger jar or tea caddy,he said.

The exhibit shows how the century-old use of materials has shaped the contemporary vision of Chinese ceramic artists.

In November 2006 I had the pleasure to visit Jingdezhen,Bridges said.Upon viewing a faculty exhibition installed in the schools gallery, I was immediately struck with how contemporary the work was.

The artists at this famous institution have reinvented ceramic history by borrowing from its rich tradition and adding this centurys new use of materials to create innovative art forms,Bridges added.

The 60 ceramic works in the Mesaros Galleriesexhibition were selected from a body of work created by the very best faculty members, both young and mature, at Jingdezhen. The artists represent many visions and approaches to ceramic art.

This is a unique opportunity for American audiences to see contemporary ceramic art from China,Bridges said.These artists are expanding tradition in surprising and inventive ways.

Artists in the exhibition include Qin Xilin, He Bingqin, Zou Xiaosong, Ning Gang, Yao Yongkang, Huang Huanyi, Lu Jun, Shi Yuren, Cao Chunsheng, Yang Bing, Lu Jinquan, Jin Wenwei, Yu Meng, Feng Meiting, Huang Sheng, Li Leiying, Gong Baojia, Luo Xiaocong, Sun Qinghua, Zhang Jinghui, Zhao Chuanyu, Zhang Jingjing, Wang ChangPing, Zhao Lantao, Liu Haifeng, Li Chao, Feng Weina, Liu Yingrui, Shi Di, Peng Zanbin, Yu Fengbo, Zhan Wei, Ding Chuanguo, Yu Hong, Zhang Lingyun, Jiang Xi, and Yuan Lehui.

All Mesaros Galleries events, including art lectures, exhibitions and receptions are free and open to the public.

Gallery hours are noon-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon-9 p.m. Friday; and 1-9 p.m. Saturday. The galleries are closed Sundays and University holidays. Special individual or group viewing times may be arranged upon request.

For more information, contact Bridges: 304-293-4841, ext. 3210.