Thursdays: January 7, 14, 21; 9am–12pm CT
Letterpress 4: Collaborative Calendars focuses on planning and printing editions (a group of identical prints) by planning and printing a 12-month, perennial calendar (applies to any year).
As a group, we will look at an example calendar and walk through steps from start to finish. Then, the group will make individual and collaborative design decisions: choosing ink color, paper, edition size, typefaces, etc. Using a predetermined theme, each participant will design 1–2 images (depending on the number of participants) to carve into woodcuts and be printed alongside assigned month names and dates. Then, in pairs, we'll plan and print multiple calendar pages, which we will be bound offsite. Participants will take home up to 5 calendars to use or give one away! Artists will need to prepare for printing by cutting paper, preparing images, setting and proofing type, etc. We will learn how to print photopolymer plates, in addition to printing type and woodblock images. This in-person workshop will offer beginning printers strategies for creating an edition in a collaborative way, including how to plan a project and how to make an edition of consistent prints.
Procedures for maintaining a community print studio will be reviewed in addition to basic press operation, care, and safety. This workshop is an excellent refresher and opportunity to get reacquainted with MCBA’s presses and print studio.
Participation in Letterpress 4: Editioning also qualifies printers to rent equipment to work independently in MCBA’s print studio.
Level: Intermediate. Experience is required. To register for this workshop, participants must have taken Letterpress 1, 2, and 3 and should know how to raise and lower rollers, how to use the trip function, and how to lock up type on the press bed. Basic knowledge of relief printmaking is helpful but not required. If you need a review of these skills, we recommend that you take Letterpress 3: Two-Color Prints in order to set yourself up for success in this workshop.
Certificate: 9 hours, Category B or C
Pricing
$221 | $111 Scholarship | $332 Pay-It-Forward
$75 materials fee
Scholarships are available for individuals facing adversity as it relates to identity, income/wealth, and lack of access to arts resources. The Pay-It-Forward rate (tuition, plus 50%) supports MCBA’s efforts to make scholarships available. We leave it to you to choose the rate that is meaningful to you based on your income, wealth, and privilege status. MCBA members receive a 10% discount on tuition.
