FROSTBURG, Md.—Two artists share their interpretations of the natural landscape and their interest in pushing the boundaries of ceramics and digital printmaking in “Ink and Glaze,” an exhibition on view at Frostburg State University’s Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery Feb. 1 through Feb. 24. “Ink and Glaze” features the talents of Lisa Sheirer, a former FSU visual arts faculty member and associate professor and program manager of computer graphics and photography at Frederick Community College, and Jacqueline Brown, professor in ceramics at FSU. The show, which is free and open to the public, begins with a reception 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, including a gallery talk at 7:30 p.m.

Sheirer makes image collages featuring digital photographs and found objects from nature and her immediate environment that are scanned, manipulated, colorized and “sculpted” in Adobe Photoshop. Her visual interpretation of the natural world incorporates abstraction, symmetry and repetition, in which everyday

objects are elevated from their original contexts. “Music is a great inspiration, especially the old-timey music of Appalachia, where I live,” she writes in her artist statement. “I compare my layering of imagery to the layering of rhythms in music and the piecing of images to the making of quilts.” “Ink and Glaze” presents four new black-and-white series Sheirer has been developing since 2006: “Hickory Labyrinth,” “Potomac,” “Corollaries” and “Ice Stories.”

Brown focused on traditional clay training in England before relocating to the United States 24 years ago. She is interested in both ceramics and printmaking, and enjoys combining the two using a technique of printing line and color onto the clay surface. Her linear decoration and choice of color reflect her observations of landscape and the different environments in which humanity exists. She draws inspiration from both her Northern European influences and her experience and exposure to modern and ancient America. “The vessel in all forms is a significant reference point to my craft background, and I strive to make my pieces ‘stand proud’ and speak of their inherent aesthetic beauty,” she explains in her artist statement.

The Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery has free admission and is open to the public Sunday through Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information about the exhibition, please contact FSU Department of Visual Arts at (301) 687-4797.