NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

3/15/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - An exhibit of functional pottery by artist Marta J. Torres will be on display at Northwestern State University March 19-23. The exhibit will be in Upstairs Gallery #2 of the Orville Hanchey Art Gallery. Torres is a graduate student at NSU.

The exhibition includes her latest work on functional and non-functional pottery, which encompasses her view on "putting art to work in everyday life."

Torres has been creating art for a number of years. While she was raising her children, Torres was continuing to do watercolors.

"I always continued to draw, paint and help my children with projects. For me, art is like breathing, I never stopped creating," said Torres.

Torres' work is in several art studios in Puerto Rico. She has also taught at
Sacred Heart University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Torres has a bachelor's degree in graphic design from the Sacred Heart University and a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

"I had the opportunity to finish my graduate studies here, so I took advantage of it," she said. "My entire family encouraged me to keep going and working."

Her works are a reflection of her life experiences, particularly as she has traveled throughout the Unites States. Her experience in Louisiana has been one of functionality and pragmatism, which is translated in her latest works of functional pottery.

"I wished I could have displayed my latest batch of pottery. I feel it is even better," said Torres. "I have always tried to be interdisciplinary in my work. I want to enrich myself in whatever I am doing. I look for more ways to express myself and keep searching for a better venue."

The Gallery is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

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