Kirk Mangus (1952-2013) was an internationally recognized ceramic artist and sculptor known for his distinctive approach to image, form and surface. Born in Greenville, Pennsylvania, his early exposure to art through his parents fostered a lifelong dedication to creative practice. He received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from Washington State University, developing a deep understanding of ceramic traditions and contemporary art practices. From 1985 until his passing, Mangus served as Head of Ceramics at Kent State University. Kirk was an influential teacher and mentor. He gave hundreds of workshops and lectures throughout the US, Korea, Japan, Finland, China, Italy, Lithuania, Canada and Mexico.

Mangus's artistic style was characterized by a playful yet sophisticated gestural quality, often resulting in compelling imagery, infectious energy, roughhewn forms, painterly surfaces and experimental glazing. His diverse influences ranged from ancient Greco-Roman art, Japanese woodblock prints, German Expressionists, to comic books and global ceramic traditions spanning Meso-America to Asia. He was known for his enthusiasm to experiment with various mediums, local materials, and innovative firing and painting techniques. His artistic output included public murals, sculptures in clay, wood, and other materials, as well as works on paper.

Mangus embraced the entirety of the ceramic process, from digging local clays to making bricks for his kiln constructions, allowing for an intimate relationship with his materials. His work often defied conventional ceramic aesthetics, incorporating narrative elements, his cast of characters and a unique sense of humor. He explored themes drawn from mythology, popular culture, and his personal lived experiences, resulting in an influential body of work that is both deeply idiosyncratic and broadly resonant within the field of contemporary art.

His significant contributions to the field were acknowledged through numerous awards, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, McKnight Foundation, etc. Mangus's work has been featured in major museum exhibitions and is held in the permanent collections of institutions such as the DeYoung Museum, San Francisco; National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul; City of Panavezys, Lithuania; Cleveland Museum and the Cincinnati Museum, amongst others.