School of Art and Walton College to Host Hand-Built Bike Expert and Professor Steve McGuire

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'Design, Build, Ride' by Steve McGuire

The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and Sam M. Walton College of Business is pleased to welcome Steve McGuire, professor of 3D design and director of the School of Art and Art History at the University of Iowa, to the U of A. 

McGuire is internationally recognized for his interdisciplinary coursework related to hand-built bikes. This week, McGuire's work is on display at the Sculpture Building in the Windgate Art and Design District, and he will hold public workshops and give a public lecture, Design, Build, Ride, at the Collaborative Common Kitchen in Bentonville.

"The School of Art is thrilled to host professor McGuire, and we are especially pleased to collaborate with the Outdoor Industries team in the Walton College of Business," said Christopher Schulte, assistant director the School of Art and endowed associate professor of art education. "Professor McGuire's time at the University of Arkansas provides a unique opportunity for faculty, students and staff to learn about and experience first-hand the artful work of bike building. Importantly, this is also an occasion engage the dynamic biking communities that ride and reside in Northwest Arkansas."

Taryn Mead, teaching assistant professor of product, innovation and management in the Walton College of Business, has expertise in creativity for sustainability among business, design and engineering professionals in interdisciplinary settings. Mead and team have worked closely with Schulte and School of Art Director of Technology Vincent Edwards on McGuire's visit.

"Our Outdoor Industries team in the Walton College of Business is grateful to collaborate on this initiative," Mead said. "The intersection of sculpture, engineering and place-based design create such incredible opportunities for new business ventures and for our students. We look forward to future engagements as we launch the new Master of Science in Product Innovation in the fall."  

Edwards is also known for his interdisciplinary work, with a studio practice focusing on hybrid methodologies, mixing traditional woodworking techniques with digital design and fabrication technologies. 

"Building a hand-made bicycle is truly an interdisciplinary activity. I think this week's activities will bring people together from across the university and community," Edwards said. "Steve brings a wealth of experience as an artist, designer and adventure cyclist, and as an avid mountain-bike rider myself, I'm excited to learn more about the craft and design process."

The events for this week include:

• A public workshop by McGuire in the U of A's Sculpture Building from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, and Thursday, March 9. The workshops are free and open to the public.
• McGuire will have three hand-built frames and a series of drawings on view in the Sculpture Gallery through Thursday, March 9. The gallery will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• McGuire is scheduled to give a public lecture, titled Design, Build, Ride, from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at the Collaborative Common Kitchen located at 700 SE Fifth St. in Bentonville.

The U of A Sculpture Building is located at 744 S. Hill Ave. in the Windgate Art and Design District.

If you have questions about McGuire's visit, please contact Christopher Schulte at cschulte@uark.edu.