SLIPPERY ROCK, PA. Journalist, gilder to share their expertise

One of the speakers has had his work appear in major U.S. newspapers
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- A Chechnya war correspondent and author specializing in former Soviet Union countries, along with a master gilder whose work in gold and gold leaf can be seen from Paris to Pittsburgh, will bring their stories to the Slippery Rock University community in a two-day "International Forum."
Free-lance journalist Thomas Goltz and master gilder Joseph Kadri of Pittsburgh will participate in the public program Oct. 27 to 28, marking the academic opening of the university's newly renovated Carruth Rizza Hall.
Opening day includes Goltz's free lecture "War in Chechyna" at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 in Swope Music Hall. The public is invited.
The Oct. 28 forum includes a 4 to 6 p.m. public reception in Carruth Rizza Hall with the opportunity to see the newly installed Allen H. "Buddy" Carruth Fountain.
As part of the reception, Kadri will demonstrate the intricacies of applying gilding. His techniques include all aspects of gilding for indoors and outdoors, along with preservation and restoration of gesso on wood, different clay boles, shades, waxes, cutting of precious woods and a host of other gilding subjects.
He guilds fine gold leaf and makes use of both water process and oil process gilding. Locally, his work can been seen in the interior restoration of Shaw House, Butler, Pa.
Expertise
Goltz has expertise in the Caucasus area of the former Soviet Union, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Chechnya.
His work has appeared in major U.S. newspapers and magazines in addition to ABC's "Nightline" and CBS' "60 Minutes" and BBC-TV.
His latest book, just out from Thomas Dunne Books, is called "Chechnya Diary: A War Correspondent's Story of Surviving the War in Chechnya." Goltz has a master of arts degree in Middle Eastern studies from New York University.
Carruth Rizza Hall, a 19,000-square-foot building constructed in 1900, was formerly known as West Hall. It was restored to its original look, including a two-story atrium with skylights, through a $2.5 million donation from Ethel Carruth, mother and mother-in-law to Drs. Carolyn and Paul Rizza, both professor emeriti at SRU.
The building was named in honor of the retired SRU professors, and it returned to service with the opening of the current academic year. Mrs. Carruth makes her home in Houston.