Monday, August 22, 2011

The Fine Art of Letterpress Printing



Valhall Arts is pleased to announce an upcoming exhibition featuring the Fine Art of Letterpress printing by Shelby Montross of Meadowlark Creative. The exhibition will open Friday, September 2nd, with a reception from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and continue through October 7, 2011.

"Sometime in-between the invention of moveable type and the proliferation of 24-hour copy centers, the craft of letterpress printing evolved from an essential trade to a forgotten one," states Montross. "Abandoned by all but a few craftsmen, the art of letterpress printing became that of a bygone era. Printing, it seemed, had lost its soul, its beauty, and its individuality. Meadowlark Creative is bringing it back."

Printing on a 1951 10x15 Chandler & Price (one of the last ever made) and a Vandercook 317 letterpress, Meadowlark Creative meticulously designs and prints custom prints, business cards, stationary, invitations, and announcements that are as unique and memorable as the message you wish to communicate.

Shelby Montross of Meadowlark Creative will relate her experiences as professional designer interested in the creative and commercial potential of letterpress, and will introduce general concepts, terms, and processes involved in creating personal and professional letterpress work.

During the gallery walk receptions on the 'First Fridays', (Sept. 2 and Oct. 7) participants will have the opportunity to create their own print, using hand-set type and print coasters on a Kelsey 3x5 letterpress with both metal and wood type.