Bill Strickland grew up in Manchester, an inner-city neighborhood of Pittsburgh, but thanks to inspiration from his high school art teacher, he found a way to instill hope for a better future in others. Strickland will tell his story at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, in Akin Auditorium for the next Artist-Lecture Series at Midwestern State University.

When in high school, Strickland watched Frank Ross, the teacher, work with a potter's wheel to make a work of art with just his hands and a mound of clay and was awestruck. Strickland himself practiced with the wheel, becoming better and better, which led to more self-confidence, and in turn, success in other subjects at school. Teachers could see that his self-confidence began to transfer first to his self-image and then to his abilities as a student. With Ross' assistance, Strickland gained admission to the University of Pittsburgh.

In the late 1960s, Pittsburgh had been hit hard with severe unemployment caused by the decline of the steel industry, and was racially divided. While still in college, Strickland began an after-school arts program, the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, to combat the economic and social devastation that others in his own neighborhood were experiencing.

Strickland is now executive chairman of the Manchester Bidwell Corporation, a jobs training center and community arts program. Strickland and his staff work with corporations, community leaders, and schools to give disadvantaged kids and adults the opportunities they need to build a better future. His simple plan - to give people the tools they need, treat them with respect, and they will perform miraculous deeds - has grown into one of the most acclaimed social and educational organizations in the world.

Strickland is the author of Make the Impossible Possible: One Man's Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary. He founded the Grammy-winning MCG Jazz program and last year was awarded the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award by the Pittsburgh Technology Council.

The Artist-Lecture Series was established in 1964 to bring noted lecturers and quality programs in the performing arts to the MSU campus and the Wichita Falls community.

Admission is $20 to general public; $18 for senior citizens, active-duty military, and MSU alumni; free to MSU students, faculty, and staff with ID. Tickets are available at the Clark Student Center Information Desk. For tickets or more information, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 940-397-7400 or student.affairs@msutexas.edu.