FOCUS ON SMC:

by Shari Williams

In some grade school art classes, children are taught potato printing as an easy way to make their first prints. Simply cut a potato in half, carve out a design, cover it with ink or paint, and press it onto a piece of paper. This is an uncomplicated form of printmaking, but there are many other advanced techniques - wood block, wood engraving, linoleum cut, monoprint, dry point, etching, soft-ground etching, copper engraving, lithograph, aquatint, and mezzotint.

Carving and printing were behaviors of the early cavemen. They would dip their hands in the blood of an animal they had killed, press it upon a hard rock or other surface and let it dry. And with a sharp object, they would also carve pictures of animals and symbols into tree trunks. Could this have been the first sign of printmaking as we know it today? In the 6th and 7th centuries B.C., people began to use woodblocks to print on fabric such as cotton, silk and linen. Woodcut prints of Buddhist images were made in China starting around 868 A.D. Eventually, printing was introduced to Europe around the 14th century. The list of famous printmakers includes the 15th century German artist Durer, as well as Rembrandt, Goya, Blake, Munch, and Picasso. Printing by the use of woodblock cuts was being done long before Gutenberg invented the printing press.

At Santa Monica College, students enjoy printmaking because it allows them to explore their artistic creativity. There is also something exciting and nostalgic about learning and using ancient techniques of the past to create modern art in the 20th century. There are now a total of 57 professors who are a part of the SMC art department, 3 of whom specialize in printmaking. This includes professors Dan Freeman, John Greco, and Don Emery. Joseph Palmer has worked as an assistant in various printmaking classes for the last four years.

Don Emery, who has been a teacher at SMC for 31 years, was responsible for setting up the printmaking department around 1970. Before then, the SMC art department only offered classes in painting, drawing and design. Don says, "The truth about the art department is that it’s a bargain. We have people from every extreme, from ultra conservative to pretty liberal and if students went to an art school like Otis

or Art Center they would pay $1,000 for a class that they could pay $33.00 for at SMC." He explains that some of the same professors who teach at these schools also teach at SMC. Students at Santa Monica College are saving a lot of money but are still receiving an excellent education.

Santa Monica College is fortunate to have printmaking assistant Joseph Palmer as a part of its staff. During the summer session Joseph has been assisting in Professor Greco’s classroom, but he is no stranger to the other printmaking teachers. When asked about his specialty, he says, "Woodcuts and etchings." Joseph has done many prints that use the female form as the subject. He remarks, "The art is an expression of my admiration of women." Not all of his work focuses on women, though. Most recently a print of his was on display from June 3 through July 7 as part of the juried membership exhibition at the Brand Art Gallery. That print was made from a woodblock cut and it is of a woodpecker. This coming August, Joseph is traveling back to Poland with Professor Don Emery. They each have works that will be on display in Joseph’s hometown, Kalisz, from September 8 through October 12.

SMC has a unique mentor program in which art students can take part. Alexandra Lipsitz tood a class from Professor John Greco a year ago and then decided she would like to work with him on an individual basis. The mentor program allowed her that, and when the program was completed her work was showcased at the SMC mentor art exhibition. Alexandra explains, "They accepted me and John and I started off on this process where I spent six months developing a concept and exploring different types of photo transfer processes because there are a lot of different ways you can go. After that I came to an understanding of the technique and concept that I was interested in developing." Lipsitz relates to the viewer through her art how technology has affected her as the concept of the show. From July 8 through July 21, Alexandra’s music, prints, and video projections occupied an entire room at the SMC art gallery. The teachers like John Greco that take part in the mentor program really do make a difference in the students’ lives. Alexandra states, "John pushed me harder as an artist than any other teacher I have had. He really takes the time to sit down with you and find out where your head is. He’ll question you and challenge you, but it’s more to help you decide where you’re going to go with something."

Many students taking printmaking at SMC are returning students. These are some of the most interesting people you will find on campus and each has their own story

of why they are at SMC taking classes. One recent student is Dena Glazer. She is an orthodox Jewish woman and an artist with a masters degree from the Museum School of Fine Arts. Dena likes to use the Monoprinting technique. This method is used for making only a single print; the artist’s design is wiped off the plate after the print has been made. Dena says, "As an orthodox Jewish woman, my world is revolving around religion, so the images that I’m making now revolve around the expression of that."

Two other returning students are Liz Berstein and Catherine M. Villagran. Both women are over 40 and went into the "Introduction to Printmaking" class at SMC completely new. Liz worked with special needs children for many years and Catherine worked as a costume designer for 17 years before coming to SMC. Liz took a class with Professor Don Emery and assistant Joseph Palmer. About that class Liz declares, "The most wonderful thing of all was getting to see the art that Joseph produces and the fact that it’s not just ‘here’s something I once did’; he produces it right in class." Catherine M. Villagran went on to take four more printmaking classes after her first introduction. This native of Paris, France came a long way and eventually won a certificate and $300 for the best print at SMC. Catherine tells us that, "Winning the award was very encouraging and I felt really good about it; it was almost two years of work that was acknowledged and it was acknowledged by the people who have been teaching me."

One more very interesting student taking printmaking classes at SMC is Megan Kandell. Megan has a line of jewelry that she makes called "Daisy Chain Jewelry Design," and she plans to start a T-shirt line in the future to screenprint her original artwork on. The subject matter of her prints is quite original, showing that she is truly an individual. Flipping through her portfolio, you’ll see prints of human hearts, flames, bugs, and dead frogs. Megan says, "They are the things that I am attracted to; bugs are considered so ugly but I think they are beautiful."

Walking through Santa Monica College’s little art corner is quite an adventure. You’ll find students of different ages and cultural backgrounds finding a common interest in the expression of their art. The classrooms are guided by very talented teachers who demonstrate proper techniques and push the students toward their artistic goals. Although the methods of printmaking are ancient, the close-knit community of printmakers at SMC are keeping it alive and leading us into the 21st century with their beautiful prints.