Speaker Series: Fireside chat with master of ceramics Roberto Lugo

On April 15, at 12:30 p.m. on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, nationally renowned and award-winning artist Roberto Lugo will return to Seminole State College of Florida for a Fireside Chat. 

Lugo is a master of ceramics, poet and educator who utilizes traditional European and Asian ceramic techniques and combines them with 21^st-century sensibility to reimagine a centuries-old artform with modern motifs. He discovered his love of pottery during his time at the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts where he served as the art club president. Upon graduating, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Kansas City Art Institute and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Penn State. 

His unique and striking style has been featured in exhibitions at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, among others. His work is found in the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and beyond. Lugo has been awarded numerous awards including the 2023 Heinz Award, a Philadelphia’s Cultural Treasures award and a 2019 Pew Fellowship. 

The 2024-25 Speaker Series at Seminole State is focusing on alumni who started at the College and have gone on to build successful careers and made an impact in their communities. The theme highlights the College’s strategy, “Seminole State is your Learning Partner for Career Success.” Lugo has remained active with the College since graduating, returning as a guest artist and judge for the 50^th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit. Now he returns to share how his experience at Seminole State provided the foundation for his renowned career in the arts and how he's using his passion to inspire others.

Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. To request accessibility accommodations, please email Disability Support Services.

The views expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Seminole State, its Board of Trustees, employees, students, alumni or partners. To learn more, visit seminolestate.edu/speaker-series.