press play print

“MONOTHON” is an annual fundraising event at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, Connecticut.  www.contemprints.org  For the week of MONOTHON, tons of artists make as many monoprints as possible.  Artists sign up for 5 hour sessions and there is a master printer, along with a press assistant, for every two artsts participating in the MONOTHON.   I had the pleasure of serving as a master printer for 2 sessions on November 5th. and 6th.  At the end of each session, the CCP’s full time master printer selects one print from each artist for their auction on November 21st.  It was so interesting to try and anticipate which print would be chosen, and why, especially after having a hand in printing all of them.  I was impressed with how well organized the Center was for this huge happening, and how engaged the artists were that I worked with. 

20 colors were laid out in ink can lids ahead of time, for all to dip into.

Two of the artists I worked with: Tom & Perry

Yupo paper makes for a great stencil.

PRINT WEEK IN NYC

While I was in the area, I got to take advantage of “print week” in NYC by attending the print fair at the Armory.  Pace Prints took center stage with its double booth at the entrance of the enormous room.  I was most interested in the work exhibited at Tandem Press (Judy Pfaff’s mixed media print collages), Shark’s Ink (Enrique Chagoya’s accordion print book) and Durham Press (Polly Apfelbaum’s colorful woodblock floral prints).  With a little luck, I’ll be able to schedule a return trip to MONOTHON 2010 and check out even more of print week next year.