K-State art department to host national printmaking conference focused on sustainability and the environment

Kansas State University's art department will host the Mid America Print Council's 2024 conference and community expo, From the Ashes: Printmaking, Preservation, and Renewal, from Oct. 2-6 on the university's Manhattan campus and in downtown Manhattan.

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's art department will host the Mid America Print Council's 2024 conference and community expo, From the Ashes: Printmaking, Preservation, and Renewal, from Oct. 2-6 on the university's Manhattan campus and in downtown Manhattan.

The event will feature printmaking demonstrations, panels and exhibitions on campus as well as free community events.

"We are so excited to host a national printmaking conference in Kansas for the first time and to offer such a wide range of informative and fun activities for people of all backgrounds and interests," said Jason Scuilla, professor and area coordinator of printmaking in K-State's art department.

Community events include the Downtown Block Print Party, which will feature demonstrations, exhibitions and art activities on Thursday, Oct. 3. The party will take place in the downtown area of Poyntz Avenue and at the Manhattan Arts Center, 1520 Poyntz Ave.

The community is also invited to a research fair that begins Wednesday, Oct. 2, and a campus art crawl on Friday, Oct. 4. The research fair, which will be open for the duration of the conference in the K-State Student Union Ballroom, will kick off from 5-6:30 p.m. on Oct 2. The fair will highlight non-toxic printmaking methods developed through interdisciplinary collaboration in the College of Arts and Sciences. The art crawl will take place at galleries and museums across the Manhattan campus, including the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, Willard Hall and Hale Library. Learn more about community events and activities on the event website.

"The art of printmaking is a bridge between the arts and sciences, the natural and industrial worlds, and the production and reproduction of the creative image," Scuilla said.

"This conference and expo will showcase those who draw upon this connection to challenge convention, preserve aspects of tradition and define printmaking for the future."

Conference topics include the development of green printmaking technologies, the preservation and revival of traditional eco-friendly printing techniques, the exploration of organic materials and bio-based chemicals, the usage of printmaking to investigate and reflect upon environmental issues, and physical or conceptual interfacing with the environment to create and produce prints.

The keynote speakers will be Stefan Bossmann, professor and chair of the cancer biology department at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and Melanie Yazzie, professor of art practices and head of printmaking at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Two K-State emeritus professors of drawing and printmaking — James Munce and Teresa Schmidt — will receive awards for lifetime achievement and student mentorship in printmaking.

"This event symbolizes the resilience and enduring spirit of the print community," Scuilla said. "It brings together an incredible group of individuals with diverse minds, backgrounds, talents and skill sets — all united by a love of printmaking and guided by principles of health, safety and ecological responsibility—to celebrate our craft and make it more accessible to everyone."

Online registration has already closed, but onsite registration will be available during the conference on the second-floor concourse of the K-State Student Union. Registrants must also register as members of the Mid America Print Council. K-State students and faculty members are asked to contact fromtheashes@k-state.edu before registering.

Financial support for community events was provided by a $10,000 Arts Anywhere grant from the Kansas Arts Commission and a $31,200 Deihl Community Grant from the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.

Mervi Pakaste, associate professor of art, and Kristin Nowlin, instructor of art, helped Scuilla organize the event. Many K-State faculty members, students, alumni and members of the Prairie Fire Printmakers student organization are serving as demonstrators, exhibitors and volunteers.

Campus partners include the Beach Museum of Art, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Architecture, Planning & Design, the Kansas State University Foundation, K-State Libraries, Printing Services and the Union Programming Council.

Other partners include the Department of Cancer Biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, the National Endowment for the Arts, Downtown Manhattan, the Manhattan Arts Center, Switch Wicked, the Strecker Nelson West Gallery and the Flint Hills Discovery Center.

The Mid America Print Council is a membership organization dedicated to the support, promotion, development and research of printmaking arts. Its biennial conference brings together printmaking professionals and enthusiasts from all over the world to enjoy speakers, workshops, panels, shows and exchanges.

(This article is a press release from the Division of Communications and Marketing)