BRIDGET MORRISON

Featuring over 150 original, hand-pulled print images made by over 40 University of Saskatchewan students, 2015’s highly successful Mix Print Show and Sale is back for round two.

With more students participating this year than last, there will be even more prints with a wide variety of image content, styles and techniques used. This includes screenprints, lithographs, etchings, relief prints, collagraphs and monotype, all of which are original work.

The prints that will be on display and for sale were originally submitted to a core group of senior U of S printmakers who collectively juried all of the artwork. Those who submitted pieces to the show and sale are also students currently studying printmaking at the U of S at various stages in their programs.

Prints may take hours or even weeks to make, depending on several factors such as the number of layers, size, technical difficulty and skill of the printmaker. In other words, a lot of work has gone into each and every print, even though the price range at the event is very reasonable — some of the artwork will be available for as little as $20.

Every item at the show was printed as a limited edition, except for a few monotypes, of which there are several copies available. You won’t have to worry about someone snagging the monotype you were set on — chances are you’ll be able to get a copy as well.

The show and sale was organized by John Graham, assistant professor of printmaking and digital media in the U of S’ art and art history department, and Yonina Rollack, a fifth-year studio art major and Mix Print Collective president. Over 40 printmaking students currently belonging to the Mix Print Collective also helped organize the event.

“Our professor, John Graham, really pushed for this event to happen last year with the hope that it would become an annual tradition,” Rollack said in an email to the Sheaf.

Their first show was a success and the tradition was born. Since 2015, the Mix Print Collective has become a ratified U of S group and a student-run initiative, supported by the U of S Students’ Union.

This year’s fundraising event is intended to pay for new screen-printing equipment. According to Graham, students will also receive a portion of the proceeds from the print sale.

“Printmaking is expensive to operate. Students are eager to contribute to the ongoing improvements to make the printmaking studio between working and learning environment,” Graham said in an email to the Sheaf.

Not only is this a great opportunity for students to showcase their work, it is also a chance for the public to learn about the process of printmaking.

“Printmaking might be the least understood discipline within the art department. Many people aren’t entirely sure what printmaking is at all,” Rollack said.

To help fellow U of S students learn about printmaking, there will also be an educational display set up where students can learn about a variety of distinct printmaking processes and the tools used to make the prints. The students of the Mix Print Collective will also be there to answer any questions. 

Fortunately, this event runs all week from Mar. 14-18, allowing students to drop by the display in Upper Place Riel when they have time in-between or after classes. Checking out the art could be a perfect mental break during a busy day, and don’t forget to bring a little cash in case a print catches your eye! Who knows, you may even purchase a piece at the beginning of an as-of-yet undiscovered artist’s famous career.

For more information, find Mix Print Collective on Facebook or Instagram, or send them a message at mixprintcollective@gmail.com.

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Images:

Supplied / John Harper

Supplied / Yonina Rollack