A Message to the Community is an exhibition that highlights the exploration of letterpress printing by students enrolled in Graphic Design History in spring 2023. The exhibition delves into the concept of letterpress printing as an art form and how it can be used to convey messages to the community.
Over the course of the class, students learned about the development of printing from multiple perspectives and this assignment offered students the opportunity to experience letterpress printing for themselves instead of just reading about it. Letterpress is an old printing technique that uses raised type or images that are inked and then pressed onto paper, leaving an impression. The resulting prints are unique and have a tactile quality that cannot be replicated by digital printing.
The students’ exploration of letterpress printing allowed them to discover the unique qualities of the medium. They experimented with typography, paper, and ink to create prints that are both visually striking and tactile. The process of printing required students to work within the limitations of the medium, the physical type, and the time allotted for printing. Students were encouraged to explore what was possible within these limitations.
Students were given the simple prompt to create a message to their community. Each print is a representation of the students’ unique voice and their message to the community. The messages conveyed by the prints vary from personal to political, from calls to action to messages of encouragement. Each print is unique in its design and typography, but all share a common goal: to communicate a message that is meaningful to the artist and their community.
A Message to the Community is a celebration of the power of letterpress printing as an art form and its ability to convey meaningful messages. Through their exploration of the medium, the students have discovered the importance of communication and the impact that words can have on the community. By sharing their work with the public, they hope to inspire others to explore the medium of letterpress printing and to use it to share their own messages with the world.
The exhibition is on view from May 16, 2023 through September 16, 2023.
The Student Art Gallery in the Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA) is a mission-central component of the Wonsook Kim School of Art at Illinois State University. The CIRA Student Art Gallery is located across from the main entryway inside the terminal building at 3201 East Empire Street, Bloomington. Gallery hours are consistent with the operating hours of the airport. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
To arrange a special accommodation, please contact Wonsook Kim School of Art at Art@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-5622. Follow Wonsook Kim School of Art on Facebook and Instagram.
