Printmaking is an important part of the University of Saskatchewan’s student art community. The first ever MIX Print Show and Sale aims to show that to the larger student body.

Printmaking is an umbrella term that incorporates a variety of mediums of art and artistic methods such as plate and stone lithography, screen printing and wood block carving. Artists are able to create multiple, unique copies of their works through these means.

This year students who have taken printmaking courses at the U of S, in collaboration with the Visual Arts Students’ Union, are putting on the MIX Print Show and Sale to showcase their creations to a wider public. MIX is a juried show with pieces selected by students and faculty that will display a wide range of prints created with different styles and techniques to people who would not traditionally be exposed to fine art.

“We want to access people who don’t know the art scene in Saskatoon,” said John D. Graham, assistant professor of printmaking and digital media at the U of S. “People who go the Snelgrove Gallery are typically artists, or friends of art students. We want people who don’t usually see fine art to experience it.”

The North Concourse of Place Riel was the most obvious spot for the display. Holding such events as the semi-annual poster sale as well as many different University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union displays throughout the term, the area has enough foot traffic to guarantee that students will be exposed to the exhibition.

Printmaking also demands consistent upkeep of tools and maintenance for machinery, which can add up to a lot of money — therefore, MIX is a fundraising event in addition to a gallery-style display. Students and members of the public will be able to buy any of the prints they see with the proceeds being split between the artists and the renovations for the printmaking lab slated to start this spring.

Graham wants to differentiate MIX from the poster sale however, saying that though the two events may be held in the same place, they are quite different.

“The posters are a commercial object. They are mass-produced on machines, whereas our prints are hand-pulled and individually created by our student artists — they are fine art,” said Graham.

Each series of prints, while made from the same template, is a unique piece of art. They are individually created by the artists and can have deliberate variances in colour and texture depending on the inks, chemicals and techniques used. Though they are priced similarly to pieces found in the poster sale, the difference is that people are investing in and supporting distinctive artwork and artists in their own community.

In reference to the proceeds going towards the renovation of the printmaking lab, Graham emphasized how many printmaking students want to invest in the space. The printmaking techniques that are currently used at the U of S use many inks, dyes and chemicals that can potentially be toxic to the students handling them. He and his colleague Patrick Bulas have put in huge efforts to make the printmaking lab a safe, healthy and eco-friendly space for everyone who creates art in there.

Graham added that the U of S administration has been very helpful in regards to the printmaking department’s concerns regarding the safety of their students. Renovations to the printmaking lab are planned for spring and will include new equipment and tools, individual work areas for students and improved ventilation for the studio.

However, a huge burden of the cost still falls on the student artists themselves and MIX is a great opportunity for them to sell their artwork, gain exposure in the wider university community and make money for their future creative endeavors.

“The printmaking department has a growing interest,” said Emily Kohlert, a representative from VASU. “With this growing interest comes the need for financial help to keep the studio running strong and make it the best it can be.”

MIX Print Show and Sale is a great way for students in the U of S community to help support their fellow student artists while finding the perfect piece of art to hang in their office, home or give to friends and loved ones as a gift. Students will also be able to see several different methods of printmaking demonstrated and understand how the pieces are produced. There will be pieces of art for the collector as well as the price-conscious and everyone can walk away feeling like an art connoisseur.

MIX Print Show and Sale will take place in the North Concourse of Place Riel from March 9 to 13. Pieces will be priced, on average from, $20 to $80.

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Images:

Top: Jory Simpson’s The Panda

Bottom: Emily Kohlert’s Mind Yr Mind