Shoreline artist named as Distinguished Alumni from University of Montana

Paul Lewing in front of one of his tile walls

Five outstanding University of Montana alumni will receive 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards on Friday, October 5, 2018 during Homecoming. The awards are the highest honor presented by the UM Alumni Association. 

This year’s distinguished alumni are Paul Lewing ’69, M.F.A. ’72, of Shoreline, Washington; William Marcus ’74, of Missoula; Sara Peck ’66, of Lakeside; Sheila Skemp ’67 of Oxford, Mississippi; and Evelyn Adedoja Yeye Dada, M.P.A. ’83, of Abuja, Nigeria.

Lewing, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art from UM, followed his childhood dream to live as a professional artist in Seattle.

Ceramic hand painted tile wall by Paul Lewing

Since 1972, he has worked in pottery and ceramic tile, and he has created more than 1,000 custom projects for clients all over the world, including dignitaries in Sweden and Japan.

Paul Lewing, artist

Lewing has written two books on the ancient technique of china painting, and he has painted numerous murals.

His collections are in institutions from the Seattle Art Museum to the Igneri Talleres Foundation in the Dominican Republic, and some of his works include large tile murals for churches and colorful shower wall tiles with paintings of landscapes.

He also has taught art and ceramics to thousands of students, presenting seminars in every U.S. state.

Lewing holds studio sales in Shoreline for the holidays and often in summer as well.