Wood Engravings to Be Displayed at Library Through February

"The Joy of Wood Engraving," an exhibit featuring the works of Kent Kessinger, a Houston printmaker and book artist, is on display through February in the foyer of Baylor University's Moody Memorial Library.
The artistic technique, which traces its roots to ninth-century China, involves engraving a design on a block of wood that is then locked into the chase of a press for printing. In addition to Kessinger's prints, the exhibit features actual wood blocks from which the prints were made, engraving tools, ink cans and a printer's apron.
Kessinger became involved with wood engraving in 1985 after several painting exhibitions in San Francisco. His engravings have been featured in shows at several universities, including Rice University and Texas A&M University, and his work is on permanent display at the Museum of Printing History in Houston and the University of North Texas.
Currently the director of university placement for Aramco Services Co. of Houston, Kessinger received his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri and his master's degree from San Francisco State University. He earned his doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley.
Admission to the exhibit is free. Moody Library is open 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday. Beginning Dec. 15, the library will open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and close on Dec. 24-27 and Jan. 1. The library also will be closed on the weekends. It will resume regular hours on Jan. 10. For more information, call Moody Library at 710-6702.