Inside Art with Michael Rose - Compelling Show Highlights Craft of Printmaking

Wednesday, February 01, 2023

Michael Rose, Art Contributor

 

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Printmaking is a complex and often misunderstood art medium. Covering areas as varied as woodcuts, etchings, lithography, screen printing, and more, the printmaking community is full of talented and passionate technicians. Audiences, however, do not always fully appreciate the craft and labor behind printed artworks. A new show organized by PVDPrintmakers at WaterFire Arts Center goes a long way toward teaching visitors about how prints are made and the unique aesthetic values they bring to the table.

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Appropriately titled Demystifying Process, the exhibition is on view through February 26 and offers works of fine printmaking that utilize a variety of methods. Many of the area's most talented print-based artists are among the exhibitors. The show includes works by Joanna Booth, Sara K. Dunn, Carey Good, Lara Henderson, Sara Inacio, Serene Lincoln, Marius Marjolin, Elliot Morgan, Sam Nehila, Ariana Padovano, Jules Sharpe, Nicolle St. Cyr, and Zainab Zulfiqar.

 

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The roster was curated by PVDPrintmakers, a community organization promoting and supporting printmaking throughout Rhode Island. Co-organized by Sam Nehila and Mason Kelly, PVDPrintmakers is active on Instagram under the username @pvdprintmakers. On their page, the group shares the work of local printmakers, and through their collaboration with WaterFire, they have brought printmaking into the real world and leveraged their growing network of artists to create a thoroughly compelling exhibition.

 

Speaking of what they hope viewers take away from seeing the exhibition, Nehila and Kelly are focused on educating and inspiring. They say, “The word ‘demystifying’ in our title reflects the experience we hope visitors are having when they visit the show. We hope that visitors come away with a better understanding of what printmaking can look like and how these prints are made, and maybe with the inspiration to try it themselves!”

 

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After viewing the show, even the uninitiated will have a craving to make a print of their own. The works featured in the gallery are a testament to the wide range of visual and technical qualities that can be found across different types of printmaking. The exhibition also highlights the tools of the trade, showing off presses for etching and screen printing, a lithography block, rollers, ink, and even pigment-spattered aprons, among other implements.

 

There are plenty of highlights among the plethora of works included in the show. Lara Henderson’s geometric prints bring a pop of color to the room and include wonderfully interactive elements. Marius Marjolin’s contributions show off the distinct illustrative possibilities of screen printing. Carey Good’s etchings recall techniques used by masters while innovating with additions like snakeskin. Even Elliot Morgan’s seemingly simple monotypes are full of subtlety and drama. It is a remarkable and inspiring collection of work and all of the featured printmakers deserve praise for their inventiveness and sheer expertise.

 

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In addition to their active Instagram page, PVDPrintmakers has organized a print trade for local artists and, with Demystifying Process, has moved into the realm of exhibitions. On February 23 from 6-8 pm the group will host a networking event at the WaterFire Arts Center to promote community and connectedness. Next on the group’s agenda is an expansion into a venue of their own that can form a springboard for artists.

 

Speaking of the future for PVDPrintmakers, founders Kennedy and Nehila say, “By the end of the year, we're hoping to open a community space to host workshops, exhibitions, and provide easy access to printmaking equipment. There are a lot of printmakers in this state, but there are also artists who are interested in it but don't know where to start. We want to make sure that printmaking is an art form that is both sustainable and enjoyable to artists in Rhode Island.”

 

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With this exhibition, PVDPrintmakers is firmly establishing itself as a key organization in the cultivation of the art and craft of printmaking not just in the capital city, but in the region. By focusing on how prints are made, Demystifying Process brings new clarity to printmaking for artists and art enthusiasts alike.

 

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Demystifying Process is on view at the WaterFire Arts Center at 475 Valley Street in Providence through Sunday, February 26, 2023. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Thursday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm. Printmakers and community members are invited to participate in a networking event that will take place on Thursday, February 23 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Learn more about the exhibition and plan your visit at www.waterfire.org. Learn more about PVDPrintmakers by following them on Instagram @pvdprintmakers.

All photos by Michael Rose

EDITORS NOTE: An earlier version spelled Mason's name as Kennedy and it is Kelly. We apologize for the error.

Michael Rose is a multi-talented fine art professional based in Southern New England. Since 2014 he has served as the gallery manager at the historic Providence Art Club, one of the nation’s oldest arts organizations. Through his current freelance work he advises collectors and artists, provides appraisal services, teaches, and completes curatorial projects.

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