Block Printing

Printmaking is the process of printing images or patterns onto a surface with ink and pressure. The concept is believed to have originated in the 1st century AD during China’s Han Dynasty. "Printmaking" is the umbrella term, but the techniques beneath it vary widely, each with its own materials, tools, and traditions. This class will focus on the basics of Block printing. Block printing is an ancient printmaking technique where a design is carved into a block (wood, linoleum, or rubber), inked, and stamped onto paper or fabric. It is a versatile, handmade process allowing for multiple, unique prints from one design. This technique is great for cards, one of a kind art, and more! From Molly: “I run a a variety of printmaking classes throughout the year, including monotype, screen printing, gelli printing, block printing and colloagraphy. It’s always my hope that you’ll take one class, fall in love with printmaking, and then take the rest of the classes!” Participants will leave with a print they made by hand, several completed works of art (prints), and the knowledge of how to continue printing. This class will be located in Studio 2 which is located behind Rusty the big red dog on our campus. Look for the blue double doors in the Courtyard of Wonders! Molly Nelko is Kentuck Art Center’s Arts Education Manager. A native of Mobile, Alabama, she graduated magna cum laude from Spring Hill College with a BA in Fine Art, with a focus on oil painting and printmaking. Molly is an experienced teaching artist who has led classes at Kentuck for over four years, contributing significantly to the growth of Kentuck’s year-round programming. ​ Her work has been exhibited from Portland, Oregon to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and she works in a variety of media including encaustic, tessellations, and ink wash. Molly lives in Tuscaloosa with her husband, three children, and their cat, Quill. This workshop is sponsored in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.