Moon Township, Pa., March 12, 2008 - The Robert Morris University (RMU) Media Arts Gallery will present "Brit by Brit - Contemporary Ceramics by Rod Bugg and Stephen Dixon" from March 19 through April 19. The opening reception is set for Thursday, March 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

"Brit by Brit" is the inaugural exhibition in the gallery's new location at the RMU building at 600 Fifth Ave. in downtown Pittsburgh. It is free and open to the public.

Rod Bugg is the former principal of the Wimbledon School of Art and was the chair of the United Kingdom Higher Education Funding Council. His recent work focuses primarily on sculpture in clay and related drawings, which also will be featured at the RMU exhibition.

Stephen Dixon currently is a professorial research fellow in contemporary crafts at Manchester Metropolitan University, investigating political narrative and the contemporary printed image in ceramics. His work at "Brit by Brit" is supported in part by the British Council.

"Brit by Brit" is a study in contrasts. Bugg's floor and wall-based modular ceramic sculptures reflect a minimalist aesthetic that is influenced by Italian landscapes, based on Bugg's frequent visits to that country. Dixon, on the other hand, uses traditional ceramic forms such as plates and pots to convey politically charged social commentary.

"The exhibition will highlight the new Media Arts Gallery, which was designed by Edge Studio, as one of the most exciting public spaces in downtown Pittsburgh and one of the best in the region for seeing art in all its forms," said Timothy Hadfield, head of the Department of Media Arts at RMU.

The exhibition coincides with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts 42nd Annual Conference, which takes places March 19-22 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. The exhibition will have extended hours those days, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

From March 24 through April 19, the exhibition will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.