Raised in Pittsburgh, ceramics artist Sharif Bey is currently an assist professor in the the Art Ed department at Syracuse University.  He'll be visiting his home town and will teach a 2-day workshop at Society of Contemporary Craft later this month.  I asked him a few questions about growing up here and his work, thanks to Brigitte Martin for the introductory question. …

I've been spending a lot of time in the studio lately, it's cold and snowy so the warmth of the enameling kiln is very cozy.  On my walk to the studio I pass some visually interesting metal grates and sewer covers, not to mention all the bridges!

These things are evidence of urban decay. I then combine these images with bits of nature and other elements of…