By Bob Karlovits, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Marty Ashby’s career constantly twists and turns, but he never gets lost.

“Like music, your work doesn’t always go from A to B,” says the executive producer at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in the North Side. “It doesn’t always go in a straight line.”

For the full Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/search/s_581659.html

By Rebecca Nuttall, New Pittsburgh Courier

In the already humid temperature of July 25, students and instructors from Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’s summer session joined family and friends to watch an outdoor iron pour.

“Metal casting is becoming a lost art form,” said Heather Powell, MCG’s coordinator of exhibitions and visiting artists. “Most studio art programs have done away with their foundries over the last decade.”

For the full New Pittsburgh Courier article:
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/41441/1/300-plus-attend-Family-Day-at-Manchester-Craftsmens-Guild/Page1.html

PITTSBURGH — As delegates arrived in Pittsburgh ICMA TV was there to watch the 93rd Annual Conference get underway. Bill Strickland was keynote speaker at the opening session and Stephen Horn caught up with him for an exclusive interview.

For the full ICMA coverage:
http://www.icmatv.com/news/the_opening_of_icma_s_93rd_annual_conference/

By Thomas Olson, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

There would be no graduation ceremony for Bidwell Training Center graduates in Manchester this year to mark the school’s 40th anniversary.

Rather, Saturday’s commencement celebration moved to Shadyside in the spacious Rodef Shalom Synagogue because the 800 attendees — including 150 new graduates — were too numerous for the facilities at the increasingly successful BTC….

For the full Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_560924.html

By Genea Webb, New Pittsburgh Courier

Bill Strickland has always had a passion for helping inner city kids since 1968. When the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference was looking for a place to hold its annual conference, Strickland knew the initiative would be another way to help the kids he has dedicated his life to.

“This conference is a great opportunity to showcase, underscore and highlight what we have been doing with kids,” said Strickland, who grew up in Pittsburgh’s Manchester section….

For the full New Pittsburgh Courier article:
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/40217/1/Ceramix-brings-Strickland-and-MCG-full-circle/Page1.html