Announcing a Marathon Printmaking Weekend for the benefit of PRESS

THE DEAL: Be part of a focused, intense weekend-long workshop involving printmaking and letterpress. Artists new to printmaking are invited along with experienced printmakers.

WHEN: Friday, January 13, 6-9 p.m. Opening gathering and initial set-up.

Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15, from 10 AM to 10 PM.

(Artists will sign up for times on the presses but we hope for some great collaborating,between artists and matrixes too!)

WHERE: At PRESS Gallery, 105 Main Street, North Adams, MA 01247.

With overflow space at Grass Gallery, 107 Main Street.

HOW: On a mechanical letterpress and a hand-operated etching press (both presses are also suitable for linoleum and woodblock plates).

MATERIALS: Ink and some papers will be provided. Lead and wood type provided. Artists must provide their own linoleum and/or wood blocks, polymer plates and papers.

TECHNIQUES POSSIBLE: 

• Linoleum and wood block prints, monotypes, wood and lead type.
• Polymer Plates. Anything you can draw/create in your computer can be made into a plate. If you are interested in this option, please contact Melanie before the end of 2011 to make plans for ordering a plate prior to the weekend.
• Pressure Prints, a magical process made by creating low-relief collage, and very similar to collagraph printing. This “plate” gets run through the press UNDER the paper. Great as a base layer.

PRE-MARATHON MEETING OR JUST NOT SURE AND WANT MORE INFO: (Optional, but beneficial!) Wednesday, January 4, 5-6 p.m.

Types of papers, techniques and other pre-planning options will be presented.

THE RESULT: A portfolio of prints, one by every participating artist. Theme: THE WEATHER. Sheet size 11 x 14 inches. Each artist receives a complete portfolio. The prints will form an exhibition that will open Thursday, January 26. 10-15 portfolios will be retained and sold, complete or by individual print, as a benefit for PRESS Gallery to continue its programming. (Additional prints can be made for individual artists for their own portfolios)

WHY: Because you’re an artist who is interested in printmaking. Because you work well with others. Because letterpress facilities aren’t something you stumble across every day. Because you need to know more about what PRESS offers to artists in the region. Because it will be fun!

TO APPLY: Send three images, artist resume and 250 word statement discussing why you want to participate to Melanie Mowinski moji29[at]gmail[dot]com. Please submit by Friday, January 6, 2012. Space is limited to 15 participants and we are close to that number!

CONTACT: Andrew Davis  andrew[at]davisartservices[dot]com or Melanie Mowinski moji29[at]gmail[dot]com with questions!