Sculpting artist Paul Dresang, who is nationally known for his ceramic sculptures of realistic-looking leather bags, will present a two-day workshop and lecture on his work this weekend.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in the ceramics lab of the Doudna Fine Arts Center. Dresang’s slide lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Tarble Arts Center.

Michael Watts, Tarble Arts Center director, said Dresang will be lecturing about his own work Friday evening.

Possible subjects Dresang will cover include how his artwork is developed and where he gets some of the ideas for his work.

Dresang, who is also a ceramics teacher at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, currently has artwork on display in Tarble in the exhibition “Hardened by Fire: Illinois Ceramics Invitational.”

Dresang will show how he creates his ceramic sculptures in the workshop, Watts said. “He’ll be showing the materials and processes he uses to create his artwork.”

Glen Hild, art department chair, said, “It’s not a hands-on workshop. They (attendees) will just be watching the artist.”

Hild said the program is open to “anybody and everybody” and especially people interested in contemporary crafts.

“Anyone interested in seeing a nationally recognized artist show his secrets would have a great opportunity,” he said.

Watts recommended that those who attend should be serious about ceramics and ceramic sculpture.

Dresang’s work has recently been featured in over five major ceramics exhibitions across the country and he has earned numerous grants and awards for his artwork.

His work has also been shown in more than 10 museums, institutions and galleries throughout the United States.

The weekend workshop and lecture are free, and the public is invited to attend.