Southern Graphics Conference International: 2012

This year I was able to attend the seminal printmaking conference in the United States - the Southern Graphics Conference International. To attend one must be a member of the Conference which generously allows students to participate at reduced prices. The convention was held in New Orleans, Louisiana and ended last week. For five days printmakers from across the nation and the world met to discuss techniques, learn about new opportunities for education and employment, and discuss products with industry vendors. A unique opportunity to view and explore the art of others arrived in the Open Portfolio sessions. There were five hour-long sessions of about 100 artists during each session. Students, graduate students, post-grad printmakers, and professors or professional printmakers all participated in the open portfolio displaying a wide range of art.

I purchased a beautifully printed journal from the expressive Firecracker Press, art from several student printers, and was given some lovely samples by Hanco Ink and Arches Print Papers. My favorite experience from the conference was probably the open portfolios or the vendor and publisher fairs. I was able to meet and speak with a variety of people in different places professionally from students, masterprinters, professors, and publishers as well as those who were just invested in printmaking as a hobby or expression of work outside their professional careers.

The best part of the experience as a whole was traveling with the printmakers from Reno. As many people as we met we really had the best time hanging out with each other after the conference and other activities concluded for the day. Ashlea Clark was indispensable, the trip would not have come together without her organization, leadership, and fundraising abilities. Alana Berglund, Jesse Green, and Andy Gallian also attended.  Alana is responsible for my showing experience at the Sierra Tap House in Reno. Our teacher, Eunkang Koh, a current professor at the University of Nevada, Reno was also present and had several beautiful pieces showing in a couple of events through SGC. here recent work has included some fascinating book art prints.

My Portfolio Review at SGC 2012

There were two book exchanges in which I was asked to participate so I look forward to learning more about them and thinking about the books I might create. For now my book arts are on display at the University's Joe Crowley Student Union. They will be coming down at the end of this week.

Two part box now on display at the JCSU