J.D. Potié
PORTAGE DU FORT
July 22-25, 2019
Last week, a group of local artists gathered at the Stone School Gallery in Portage du Fort for a four-part printmaking workshop.
Hosted by ArtPontiac member Robert Hinchley, the event served . . .
as an opportunity for skilled artists from the region to refine their printmaking abilities while exchanging creative ideas with other artists.
The artists started the workshop by creating monotypes, which consist of a single print on a plate. After coming up with their respective monotypes, artists decided how they wanted to follow through with the rest of their designs.
With each day building upon the last one, the workshop capped off with the artists learning how to set up opportunities to get their work displayed at art showings in local galleries.
Since the workshop was organized for intermediate and advanced printmakers, Hinchley felt like it was also a great opportunity to network with local artists and exchange wisdom with them while teaching them important printmaking tips.
“I enjoy the creative aspect of it, as a teacher,” he said. “I share ideas with them. It’s a really nice way to work back and forth.”
“It’s more of a collaboration of ideas,” he added. “I just try to give feedback and share some thoughts on it and then they can think about it so they know.”
For Hinchley, the most important aspect of the workshop was for participants to enjoy the experience while putting their creative visions to good work.
“I think the main thing is that they get good quality work that they’re happy with,” he said. “That’s professional quality work that they can be happy with and show their work in professional quality. And also, to have fun.”
With the possibility of a printmaking showcase taking place at some time this coming August, Hinchley was hopeful that the workshop would motivate local printmakers to put together projects worthy of being displayed to the public.
“Hopefully, this will kind of tie into that,” he said.
