Two accomplished artists have joined forces with Cochise College art students in a creative partnership infusing art and community. The collaboration aims to produce a captivating mural project and an intricate burnable sculpture that will offer an unexpected reveal for attendees at the upcoming Pit Fire Pottery Festival.
On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Cochise College’s art instructor Ash Dahlke introduced Mac Schneider, a skilled muralist, and Richard Ward, a master of sculpture.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the talented Mac Schneider and Richard Ward to this year’s Pit Fire celebration,” expressed Dahlke, reflecting the enthusiasm shared by students and faculty.
Richard Ward, a multidisciplinary artist, has redefined the boundaries of artistic expression with his work. Ward has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas. His innovative approach has garnered widespread acclaim. He uses a fusion of natural, primitive, and experimental building techniques in his art, resulting in awe-inspiring, habitable sculptures.
Mac Schneider is a mural artist living and working in Phoenix. She specializes in aerosol murals, and her work is inspired by the Sonoran Desert. Schneider has created murals in Phoenix, Bisbee, Denver, Portland, and Hilo, Hawaii.
An exclusive exhibition featuring select pieces from the artists’ extensive portfolios and their previous collaborative projects is currently on display at the Douglas Campus Union Gallery. This exhibition will be open to the public until Nov. 1, offering art enthusiasts and the community a glimpse into other art forms.
The Douglas Campus Union Gallery, located within the Student Union, invites the public to explore art during business hours. From Monday through Friday, visitors can visit the exhibit from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the college brought these artists, enriching the local art community and offering a unique opportunity to students and the public.
The excitement for the upcoming festival continues as the collaboration between these artists and the eager students unfolds. The annual festival celebrating the age-old art of pit fire pottery will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Learn more: https://www.cochise.edu/pitfirefestival/
Richard Ward pictured in the center, talks to students about his previous projects.
Mac Schneider gives a presentation at the Union Gallery at the Douglas Campus.