COLORPRINT U.S.A.: Spanning the States in '98
A National Printmaking Exhibition Opening Nationwide November 1998
by Kay McCrohan

Maryland Printmaker Caroline Thorington's print, Carnival of the Quarter Moon, part of her continuing series on moonlight delights and madnesses, will be included in the portfolio.

The exhibit focuses on one of the unique and wonderful strengths of printmaking; the fact that multiple original works of art make art accessible to the general public. As a way of celebrating this mass accessibility, the 1998 show will be simultaneously exhibited in each of the fifty states, in fifty museums and galleries, starting the first weekend in November.

Fifty-one artists have been invited to participate in this national statement, at least one from each state. The edition is limited to 51 prints plus two artist's proofs. A portfolio of proofs will be retained by Texas Tech University for their permanent collection. The other portfolio will be offered to the Chicago Art Institute in recognition of Mark Pascale, their Assistant Curator, for writing a forward to the catalogue and portfolio. The remaining print editions will be collated into 50 portfolios containing one print for each artist in each state. Funding for this exhibition has been made possible in part through grants from the Helen Jones Foundation, the CH Foundation and other organization including Maryland Printmakers.

The idea for the exhibit was planted in 1968 with an attempt to encourage printmakers to use color in a time when printmaking was predominantly black and white. Kreneck received funding for an exhibition from the Texas Commission of the Arts with backing from the National Endowments for the Arts plus a grant from the Department of Art at Texas Tech. The primary thrust of the exhibition was to educate the public on the hitherto untapped possibilities of color printmaking.

The result of the show was a reciprocal arrangement; new techniques of the media were exposed to eager printmaking enthusiasts and they in turned fanned the fire with their creative responses. An important aspect of the exhibition was the accompanying workshops, lectures and symposium. A color print catalogue was distributed throughout the country tapping the enthusiasm of curators, galleries and universities and incidentally created Texas Tech as the "Lone Star" of American printmaking.

COLORPRINT USA started as a juried show in 1968, but in 1988 the format was changed to that of an invitational show. Based on reputation, technical excellence and emerging trends, artist are now chosen to represent a complete cross section of the country. Although originated to promote the use of color in printmaking, COLORPRINT USA's success has moved it to new challenges and platforms.

The 20th Century renaissance of printmaking has opened up new issues. Barriers had to be broken down to include creative exploration such as monoprints, hand coloring and bold altered surfaces using sewing, drawing and a range of mixed media. More recent challenges include the use of digital photograph, copy machines, paper casting and laminated works. By 1994, the issues had matured to the extent that once again black and white prints were included in the show as a result of their technical and cutting edge approach. One can only imagine the ideas to come... they will be unlimited.

Maryland Printmaker Caroline Thorington's print, "Carnival of the Quarter Moon," part of her continuing series on moonlight delights and madness, will be included in the portfolio. Carolyn will represent Maryland and present her portfolio at the Art Gallery of Montgomery College, Rockville, Md. Jack McCaslin, of Va., will exhibit at the Sawhill Gallery, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va. Pennsylvania will be represented by Randy C. Bolton at the Print Center in Philadelphia, Penn. Sergio Soave will exhibit his portfolio at the Mesaros Gallery, West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.

This is a wonderful opportunity for members of Maryland Printmakers and the general public to feel the pulse of the national print scene. As part of the exhibition at Montgomery College, there will be a panel discussion consisting of Lynwood Kreneck, Caroline Thorington, Sergio Soave and Randy Bolton. Barbara Kerne, Professor Emeritus at Montgomery College will be the moderator. The exhibit opens Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2 to 5 p.m., with a gallery talk by Kreneck on Friday, Nov. 13. The symposium will be on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Printmaking is moving into the 21st Century as a leading medium of collaboration because of its willingness and capability to combine emerging techniques and the traditional medium. In the past 30 years Kreneck has moved from championing the color print to addressing the evolving challenges of technical growth and the necessity of expanding our attitudes and ideas toward printmaking. The success of the celebration of this democratic medium relies on the participation of the public which is invited to be witness to the roots and evolution of the original printed image.

For more information on show sites in the 50 states and other related information visit the ColorPrint U.S.A. website.