Printmaking; Gelli Prints

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 Gelli printing, a technique where a one of a kind design is painted on a gel plate and transfered to paper. 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. Monoprinting a form of printmaking that produces a single, unique, one-of-a-kind image, blending painting, drawing, and print techniques. 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! About Molly Nelko: Molly Nelko is a native of Mobile, Alabama. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Springhill College where she received a BA in fine art with a focus on oil painting and printmaking. Her work has been in individual exhibitions from Portland, Oregon to Hilton Head South Carolina. She currently lives in Coker, AL with her husband, three children, and cat Quill. Molly loves creating with her children and is passionate about sharing her over 20 years of experience in the arts. She also works in her studio regularly, and her work can be found online. She has proficiency in many different forms of art, and some of her favorites are printmaking, tessellations, and ink wash. This workshop is sponsored in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.