Artists from the Peoples Republic of China will share ideas and conversation with artists from the United States March 15-17 at West Virginia University.

The symposium,Bridging the Gap: East Meets West,will take place at the Creative Arts Center on WVU s Evansdale Campus. It is sponsored by the Division of Art in WVU s College of Creative Arts.

Along with internationally recognized artists, the symposium will include lectures, demonstrations, wood-kiln firings and exhibitions.

Zhou Jianer, president of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in China, will be among the special guests.

Exhibitions will include works by WVU alumni and students, as well as invited artists, in the Creative Arts Centers Mesaros Galleries.

Lu Pinchang, Li Chao and Yao Yongkang are among the invited artists.

Others include Joe Zeller, Josh DeWeese, Jennifer Allen, Tara Wilson, Martin Tagseth, Dick Lehman, Christa Assad and Steve Colby.

Those interested in attending the symposium must register in advance by downloading an application form athttp://art.ccarts.wvu.edu/undergrad/ceramics/index.htm.

The event is open to anyone interested in ceramics and art, with a special rate for college students. The schedule and additional information can be obtained by contacting Division of Art faculty members Bob Anderson at 304-293-4841 ext. 3135 or bob.anderson@mail.wvu.edu , or Shoji Satake at shoji.satake@mail.wvu.edu .

In conjunction with the symposium, Zen Clay Café Studio Gallery in Morgantown will be hosting an event calledFour States Ceramic Exhibition.

The event at WVU is part of a series of activities taking place before the 2008 National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference in Pittsburgh March 19-22. For information about the conference, visithttp://www.nceca.net/conference/2008/index.html.

The WVU Division of Art has offered a study program in ceramics at Jingdezhen since 1995. In 2006, WVU s Ceramics Department dedicated a new building complex at the world-renowned Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute.