EASTON, Pa. – During his Lafayette College career, Lisbon Falls resident Christopher Metzger worked with internationally renowned artists, created work displayed in Tokyo, Japan, and wrote a thesis on the role of digital art.

Metzger, who graduated in May cum laude with honors in art, will pursue a master’s in digital arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art this fall. He graduated from Lisbon High School in 1999 and is the son of William and Nancy Metzger of Lisbon Falls.

“This program is giving me an opportunity to study at a school that is specifically for art,” said Metzger. “I’ll be learning more about computer programming, Web design and, hopefully, digital video as well.”

Metzger collaborated with internationally renowned artists, printmakers and other experts in the art world through Master Artist/Master Printmaker, a residency program at Lafayette’s Experimental Printmaking Institute.

He played an instrumental role in creating art being exhibited at galleries in Tokyo and New York this summer. He also designed and built “Press and Vent,” a 6.5-foot concrete sculpture that functions as a printing press, with international sculptor and painter Emil Lukas and a group of seven fellow students.

Through Lafayette’s EXCEL Scholars program, Metzger created a print with author Faith Ringgold, famous for the children’s book “Tar Beach.”

Under the guidance of Curlee Holton, associate professor of art and director of Lafayette’s Experimental Printmaking Institute, he also researched and documented processes that enhance traditional prints and helped develop an exhibition titled “Baptismal: An Installation Piece.” In the program, students work closely with faculty on research while earning a stipend. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year go on to publish papers in scholarly journals and/or present their research at conferences.

“The new art building at Lafayette was a great resource,” said Metzger, who participated in intramural bowling and soccer. “Working closely with professors through the EXCEL program was one of the best opportunities I had while at Lafayette. Studying with professors and working closely with them on their work and my own was very beneficial.”

Metzger is the recipient of the Africana Studies Scholastic Award and the Vivian B. Noblett Prize in Studio Art.

Copy the Story Link