University Park, PA -- The University Libraries and the Pennsylvania Center for the Book invite the public to a conversation with artist James Thurman, on Thursday, September 26, 5:30–7:00 p.m., in 201 B Pattee Library. Thurman will discuss his work and his exhibit "Bookworks," on display in the center's office through December 13.

In this exhibit, Thurman, an assistant professor in the 3D Foundations Program and associate to the director in Penn State's School of Visual Arts, College of Arts and Architecture, presents a comfortable entry point into contemporary art through recognizable forms, including plates, bowls, and other vessels.

Through common material used in an atypical way—recycled books used as raw material to form the vessels—he explores subjectivity applied to usefulness and function of objects and delves into the concepts of creation and destruction.

Exhibit hours: Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and by appointment, call 814-863-2141.