This week: honor your mother (or a mother figure)

Printmaking is a centuries-old practice, one of its benefits being the reproduction of multiples. Not every technique produces this effect, however-- like the monotype process. Because no lines are incised onto the printing plate (unlike in etching or woodblock), the clarity of the image is lost after the first run of the press. You'll be left with what's called a ghost, or a diluted version of your original image. While the creation process involves loss, it also involves the revelation of something new-- a one-of-a-kind image. Never again can you replicate the same one.

Aren't you totally curious about making one yourself?

Come join us this Saturday, May 4 for our Annual Mothers' Day Printmaking Workshop at the Craft in America Center, where you can do just that. Sign up for Session 1 (12:00-2:00pm), Session 2 (3:30-5:30), or BOTH! Printmaker Christina Carroll will guide you through the experience. Her artwork is incredible, evidence of which you can see next door at Freehand Gallery. (Ask about her egg carton series.)

For the workshop you can bring your own design or derive inspiration from our current exhibition:

Seeing Into It: Messages in Glass

Paul Mariono and Susan Stinsmuehelen-Amend

March 22, 2014 - June 28, 2014

 Here's an example of a print from one of Christina's previous workshops:

At the Center you will paint your design onto Plexiglass with water-based oil paint. Once the plate is inked, you'll place damp printmaking paper on top of it. Next you'll apply pressure onto the surface, which will transfer your image from the plate to the paper. The plate is then pulled away from the inked surface, revealing your image.

Sign up here!

"What? You have a LIBRARY?"

YES! And you can use it whenever you want (during the hours of 12-6PM, Tuesday-Saturday). Whether you're doing research, working on a craft project, or in the mood to peruse, come and enjoy our space. We have a beautiful George Nakashima table at which you can sit and read.

What is there to read? Lots.

...periodicals

....or books

...or a whole shelf of books

Stay tuned for weekly highlights of our collection.

Process Shot

Passing it On, which features work from an incredible collection of potters trained in the Hamada-Leach tradition, is on display for another few weeks-- but we're already starting to plan how we'll hang our next show! Seeing Into It: Messages in Glass will feature work from rebel artists Paul Marioni and Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend, both of whom have been doing exciting, innovative work in the medium for several decades apiece.

Betye Saar at UCLA

Betye Saar will give a talk entitled Fade: The Art of Aging on Thursday, February 27 at 7:30 pm. The legendary Los Angeles artist is a recycler, a conjurer, and one of the great assemblagists of our time. With arrays of found objects ranging from the mystical to the ordinary, Saar has over her long career found ways into the darkest recesses and sweeping hopes of the American experience. For more information about the talk, click here; to read up on Saar before you go, visit the Craft in America Center, where we've got tons of gorgeous books about her life and work available for persual. 

Jeff Oestreich at the Craft in America Center - Next Week!

 

Jeff Oestreich, a former apprentice of master potter Bernard Leach, will be visiting the Craft in America Center on Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm to participate in a roundtable discussion entitled Keeping Pottery Traditions Alive. He will be joined by Charlie Maag, pictured above, as well as Gail Kendall and Tim Heil, all of whose work is featured in the show.

Oestreich, who was profiled in Craft in America’s 2012 documentary episode Crossroads, was trained in the austere simplicity of traditional Asian pottery while serving as an apprentice to Bernard Leach in England in the 1960s. Upon his return to the states in 1971, he began to disseminate Leach’s legacy to numerous American ceramists who have carried the messages forward. The exhibition of his work currently on display at the Center reflects the passing on of traditions, attitudes, studio and making practices, and aesthetic values. It pays homage to Oestreich’s role as an influential voice in contemporary pottery.  

 

More information is available here. If you plan on attending, please RSVP.

'Tis the season! Check out a few more views of our gratitude-themed window display:

All photos courtesy Denise Davis. To learn more, click here; if you're interested in creating some heart-and-love-themed crafts of your own, sign up for our upcoming Valentine's Day workshop!

Cupid's Crafts

Make a unique piece of art for someone you love. Bring a sweetheart-- or someone you'd like for your Valentine!

Join artist Christina Carroll for her annual Valentine Monotype Workshop where you'll explore the painterly printmaking method of monotype.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Session 1: 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Session 2: 3:30pm - 5:30pm

For this romantic occasion, your printing plate will be heart-shaped and all materials will be provided. You are welcome to bring collage supplies if you like, but it is not necessary.

A $35 fee includes materials; to reserve your spot click here!

To learn more, check out our write-up in the LA Times.