Some might describe letterpress printing as an old-fashioned art, but the students in Art 381 are keeping it alive. This class shows off their unique artistic styles, sometimes collaborating and sometimes creating individual prints.
In the class, about ten students work together to produce a group zine. Each zine features different themes and gives each student a page to display their art. The project’s theme is inspired by the game “Telephone,” and involves each student working on a page without seeing the preceding images. The students only know the previous page’s general content, adding an element of surprise and creativity reminiscent of the childhood game.
What makes these zines unique, aside from the diverse art styles within, is that they are created and printed by students using a letterpress printer.
“You can draw whatever you want or digitally design it, but any kind of design that you have that you want to be able to print on a press, you can use in that class,” Lili Sellers, a senior in the class, said.
The class focuses on the process of letterpress printing. Students start by creating a design, which is then inverted into a negative design on a plastic sheet. This sheet is placed onto a photopolymer plate and put into a machine that washes away the black areas (negative space), leaving the design in relief. The machine produces a ready-to-use photopolymer plate. Students then remove the backing from this plate, adhere it to the press and ink the plate to produce their prints, where they can eventually sell them in their class print sales on campus.
“In general, when it comes to letterpress, something I personally really like and enjoy about printmaking with letterpress is seeing my work come to life in a tangible way,” Sellers said. “Whether it’s a hand drawn design or digitally made, it’s really fulfilling to print that, hold it in your hands and have it come out the way you want it to.”
Because this is a repeatable class, Sellers and a few of her classmates were able to retake the class to continue printmaking. The continued practice of collaboration allowed her to work with them as a team and develop friendships.
“Before, I had the mindset that if we don’t do the same style of art or design, we wouldn’t be able to collaborate. But there’s so many different ways we can work together,” Sellers said. “It’s a lot more involved and a lot more personal, and I think that I’ve gained a lot more experience from that environment than one where we sit and listen to lectures.”
Working together on the zine has given Sellers a deeper appreciation for other artists’ work. She understands the time and effort required to make her own page, so she can only imagine the dedication each artist puts into their own contributions.
The student artists also have opportunities to sell their work through print sales outside the EMU or Lawrence Hall. They set up tables where students passing by can see a vibrant array of colors and artwork. In addition to selling group zines, artists also sell individual prints showcasing their style. The prints range from images of our mascot, the Duck, to dancing fruit, cute animals and characters like Spider-Man. Selling their prints allows the artists to share their work and gives fellow students the chance to appreciate and own their unique creations.
“This class has been really beneficial in giving me the opportunity to present my work in other forms that I haven’t been able to before,” Sellers said. “It’s really eye-opening to be able to see people’s different styles, talents and capabilities.”
