John Thrasher is a Professor in the Department of Art at The Ohio State University.  He teaches drawing and ceramics on the Mansfield campus. His varied portfolio includes ceramic sculpture, figure drawing, portraits, murals, experimental drawing, performance, painting, illustration, and calligraphy. John received The Ohio State University Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1999, and has been the recipient of outstanding teaching awards four other times during the course of his career. He has exhibited his work in local, regional, national, and international venues for over 35 years. For John, art and teaching are a way of life.