THINGS TO DO IN ERIE, PA

Two art professors from Nanjing, China will exhibit their paintings and drawings in their "Something from Edinboro" show at PACA.

A reception will be held Friday, July 26th from 5:30pm – 8pm held for the artists. At 8pm, Laura Eason's new comedy will open in the PACA theater.

A married couple, Zhou Jing and Liu Bin are just completing a year as Artists-in-Residence at Edinboro University. Jing spoke with Department Chair Jim Parlin about methods of drawing. Professor Malcolm Christhilf taught her how to make oil paint, and, Dr. Charlotte Wellman introduced Jing to many contemporary artists during her Art History courses. Both Jing and Bin appreciated the chance to work from model during the "Figure Fridays" in Loveland Hall, organized by Professor Michelle Ghisson.

Professor Terry McKelvey assisted in arranging an exhibition of the couple's work at Edinboro's Barron- Forness Library this past spring. During this residency, Jing says she enjoyed Edinboro's "silence and quiet" and "passionate people." Bin praised Pennsylvania's great "natural light" and says he was inspired by the university's motto, "Edinboro: for those who strive."

Zhou Jing earned her BFA and MFA in Drawing from Nanjing University of the Arts. Jing's scholarly research is focused on ancient Chinese glass art and contemporary glass art. Her papers have been published in almost a dozen Chinese professional journals including Decoration and Art and Design earning Jing grants from China's National Endowment for the Arts. Jing's studio practice features figurative watercolors based on observation. Professor Zhou Jing teaches art at the Nanjing University of Finance and Economics.

Liu Bin earned his BFA and MFA in art from Nanjing Normal University. Bin, a member of the prestigious Chinese Artist Association, has exhibited work across China at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, the Art Museum of Qingdao and the Province Museum of Art of Hebei earning several awards. The National Museum of Art of China, the Museum of Art of Dongguan, the Museum of Art of Qingdao, and the Museum of Art of Jiangsu Province have each collected Bin's paintings. In recognition of his expertise, Bin served as one of thirty consultants for the landmark exhibition in Beijing organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture. Three Hundred Years of Watercolor showcased over 700 works from the 19th to 21st centuries. Professor Liu Bin teaches art at Three River University in Nanjing, China. Nanjing is about 400 miles southeast of Zibo, Erie's sister city where Mayor Joseph Schember visited to rekindle economic and cultural ties.