Students learn printmaking from professional artists
It was back-to-school for local artists this spring as the Artists in the School program returned to Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School.
The program is funded by Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society and was supported this year by a pre-pandemic grant from the Ontario Arts Council, who patiently deferred the funding until the artists could get back into the school. The program hasintroduced students to many different mediums and styles of art over the years.
This year, Liz Eakins and Jessica Tamlin, local artists based out of Mill Street Art Studio, introduced students in Grades 4-8 to the art of printmaking over three session from May 26 to June 13. Classes were assigned different disciplines of printmaking, including foam relief printing, monoprinting, collagraph printmaking, dry point and reduction linocut printing. Each discipline required the student to come up with an original design and create a piece that was then printed using a table top press, sometimes involving multiple steps.
Students are given the tools and materials they need and are led through the process, learning about its history and origins as they go. The artists spend a lot of time prepping the lessons in advance to set the students up for success.
Eakins said it’s very rewarding to see students gain confidence as they go through the creative process, even if they had little faith in their artistic ability at the outset.
“The thing that makes it so worthwhile for Jess and I is to see the pride and joy when the kids hold up their piece and they can’t believe they’ve made it,” said Eakins.
The goal of the Artists in the School program is that students will continue to explore their artistic sides and continue to learn. Also, said Eakins, by learning about a process like printmaking, students gain an appreciation for the artistry and the uniqueness of something that isn’t mass produced.
The Artists in the School program is one of many local programs supported though Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society membership fees. To become a member, visit phahs.ca.
