Ceramics artist Bryan Hopkins, a graduate of West Chester University’s Art + Design Department, was recently awarded “Best in Show” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) Craft Show.

Hopkins is a part-time professor of art and the owner of Hopkins Pottery in Buffalo, N.Y. At the PMA show, he exhibited a new body of work that combines traditional white porcelain with black porcelain.

“My work takes my interests in structure, architecture, containment, and permanence and applies them to porcelain vessels,” said Hopkins. “Porcelain is my material of choice because of its translucence and color. I fire the clay at a very high temperature to obtain the whitest result possible.”

Calling the PMA show the “best in the country,” Hopkins said that “winning this award was completely unexpected, and very much appreciated, especially at a show of this caliber. I can’t put into words how this makes me feel accepted as an artist.”

WCU’s Department of Art + Design prepares students for professional careers by emphasizing critical thinking, creative problem solving, visual literacy, and the creative process. Through a nationally-accredited B.F.A. curriculum, students acquire technical and conceptual tools, obtain a solid foundation of visual literacy and appreciation, and are encouraged to develop as socially and globally-engaged artists.