Approximately 60 - 70 undergraduate students work in the printmaking studios each semester. The Department of Art and Art History furnishes graduate students with semi-private studios, approximately 180 square feet in size. The MFA program is a three-year, 60-credit hour course of study. Most printmaking graduate students are funded through graduate assistantships during the course of their stay.
The printmaking and book arts facilities at UNL occupy the top floor of the Woods Art Building, situated in the heart of the main city campus. The five large rooms feature full length walls of windows, creating exceptionally well-lit and inviting work spaces. The shop includes separate rooms for etching, lithography, letterpress and book arts, with large work tables in each area. Work area for the mediums of screen printing and relief is provided in a central work area, as well as in the large advanced/graduate print studio.
The print and book arts studio is an open laboratory for intense, individual involvement, and is, therefore, open at all hours, with electronic key assess via ID card after 10pm. This system allows for building security, as well as an open studio.
The facilities for lithography include: two Takach Litho Presses, each 25" x 48", and a Griffin Press 33" x 58". The studio has 88 litho stones, 15 of which are at least 16" x 22", with the largest stone measuring 24" x 32". There is a hydraulic lift for moving stones.
The intaglio shop includes 1 Charles Brand etching press 20" x 38", two American French Tool presss: 26" x 48" and 36" x 60", and a Takach etching press 24" x 40”, all with micrometer pressure gauges. There are two Charles Brand Hot Plates 24" x 36". Each printing area has large glass palettes and good lighting. The acid cabinet is large and ventilated by an overhead hood with ferric chloride in vertical tanks, and a large tray for Edinburg Etch for use with copper. The aquatint box can accommodate a full size plate of 24" x 36".
The Book Arts studio has a selection of lead foundry type for use on two Vandercook Proof Presses: a Universal 1 and a No. 219. Relief printing on wood, linoleum, metal or polymer type-high plates are possible with these two presses.
The studio has a darkroom, and exposure units enabling photomechanical processing of litho, etching and polymer plates, and photo silkscreens.
The print shop has been furnished with an extensive ventilation system, at the clean-up stations, by the hot plate, drying rack and printing areas.
Visiting artists in printmaking as well as throughout the Department enhance the student’s exposures to alternative opinions and influences. The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, next door to the Department of Art & Art History, houses an excellent collection of prints and works on paper. The Special Collections in Love Library houses the extensive Blue Heron Press Collection of Artists Books. The Lincoln Print Group, a student organization, sponsors an annual Print Sale and Raffle and organizes field trips to print conferences, exhibitions, and summer fellowships for print study. The Under Pressure Print Club, a community-based group, also sponsors an annual visiting artist for the publication of an edition of prints with collaboration by student assistants.
UNL International Study Abroad offers An Italian Sojourn: Printmaking in Florence, Italy, a biennial course taught by Professor Souto at the Santa Reparata International School of Art.
The printmaking and book arts facilities at UNL occupy the top floor of the Woods Art Building, situated in the heart of the main city campus. The five large rooms feature full length walls of windows, creating exceptionally well-lit and inviting work spaces. The shop includes separate rooms for etching, lithography, letterpress and book arts, with large work tables in each area. Work area for the mediums of screen printing and relief is provided in a central work area, as well as in the large advanced/graduate print studio.
The print and book arts studio is an open laboratory for intense, individual involvement, and is, therefore, open at all hours, with electronic key assess via ID card after 10pm. This system allows for building security, as well as an open studio.
The facilities for lithography include: two Takach Litho Presses, each 25" x 48", and a Griffin Press 33" x 58". The studio has 88 litho stones, 15 of which are at least 16" x 22", with the largest stone measuring 24" x 32". There is a hydraulic lift for moving stones.
The intaglio shop includes 1 Charles Brand etching press 20" x 38", two American French Tool presss: 26" x 48" and 36" x 60", and a Takach etching press 24" x 40”, all with micrometer pressure gauges. There are two Charles Brand Hot Plates 24" x 36". Each printing area has large glass palettes and good lighting. The acid cabinet is large and ventilated by an overhead hood with ferric chloride in vertical tanks, and a large tray for Edinburg Etch for use with copper. The aquatint box can accommodate a full size plate of 24" x 36".
The Book Arts studio has a selection of lead foundry type for use on two Vandercook Proof Presses: a Universal 1 and a No. 219. Relief printing on wood, linoleum, metal or polymer type-high plates are possible with these two presses.
The studio has a darkroom, and exposure units enabling photomechanical processing of litho, etching and polymer plates, and photo silkscreens.
The print shop has been furnished with an extensive ventilation system, at the clean-up stations, by the hot plate, drying rack and printing areas.
Visiting artists in printmaking as well as throughout the Department enhance the student’s exposures to alternative opinions and influences. The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, next door to the Department of Art & Art History, houses an excellent collection of prints and works on paper. The Special Collections in Love Library houses the extensive Blue Heron Press Collection of Artists Books. The Lincoln Print Group, a student organization, sponsors an annual Print Sale and Raffle and organizes field trips to print conferences, exhibitions, and summer fellowships for print study. The Under Pressure Print Club, a community-based group, also sponsors an annual visiting artist for the publication of an edition of prints with collaboration by student assistants.
UNL International Study Abroad offers An Italian Sojourn: Printmaking in Florence, Italy, a biennial course taught by Professor Souto at the Santa Reparata International School of Art.
Heart & Hands 2013-
A National Juried Book Art Exhibition for Students.
Download the prospectus!
Heart & Hands 2013 will showcase the best examples of the broad range of books being made by graduate and undergraduate students in accredited academic institutions. Books made in book arts, graphic design, photography, printmaking, and writing courses will be featured.
A National Juried Book Art Exhibition for Students.
Download the prospectus!
Heart & Hands 2013 will showcase the best examples of the broad range of books being made by graduate and undergraduate students in accredited academic institutions. Books made in book arts, graphic design, photography, printmaking, and writing courses will be featured.
Printmaking Faculty
- Karen Kunc
E-mail: kkunc1@unl.edu - Francisco Souto
E-mail: fsouto2@unl.edu
The educational objectives for students specializing in printmaking are:
- To seek the creative potential inherent in all the various print media, including intaglio, lithography, silk-screen, and relief, as well as non-toxic techniques
- To help expand definitions of the print including new technologies and alternative presentations
- To develop the creative process of printmaking through skillful application and conceptual development
- To understand how print media has played an important role in major art movements in order to assess one’s place in the stream of contemporary art
- To develop one’s work in a collaborative learning environment with the assistance of critical review, mentoring, self-evaluation, provocative assignments, and discussions.