30/30 Anniversary Print Project

January 6 - February 18, 2012 

The exhibit features prints from Vermonters, led by artist/project coordinators Gregg Blasdel, Jennifer Koch, and Sumru Tekin. Adding to the fun and adventure of this print project, we've asked a few local "celebs" who were game to try their hands at the creative process. Each print was created in BCA's Print Studio or the studio of Jennifer Koch. Prints will be displayed in the Amy E. Tarrant Gallery beginning Friday, January 6 through Friday, February 18. An auction of each print will begin at an opening reception on January 6.

Participating artists include John Anderson, Marc Awodey, Sandra Berbeco, Gregg Blasdel, Harry Bliss, Galen Cheney, Ben Cohen, Cameron Davis, Bill Davison, Nancy Dwyer, Steven Goodman, Jerry Greenfield, Gary Hall, Valerie Hird, Michael Jager, Linda E. Jones, John Killacky, Doreen Kraft, Jennifer Koch, Madeleine Kunin, Sally Linder, Todd Lockwood, Marie LaPré Grabon, Hal Mayforth, Katharine Montstream, Alice Murdoch, Beth Pearson, Gail Salzman, Kathleen Schneider, Bill Schubart, Sumru Tekin, Janet Van Fleet, Keith Wagner, and Grace Weaver.

BCA Executive Director Doreen Kraft says, "It is truly an amazing opportunity to work with these three master printmakers, Gregg, Jennifer and Sumru in the BCA Print Studio. It's an opportunity for the artists to hone their craft and practice new techniques, creating works of art that the public will love, and help support our education scholarship funds at the same time. What a wonderful partnership with the Flynn!"

Artists came to the studios with ideas for their images, and then worked with Blasdel, Koch, and Tekin to produce their print. Each project coordinator used different processes with the artists, most of whom were unfamiliar with the printmaking process employed. Many shared personal stories about how and why they developed their concept.

Michael Jager says, "The whole experience has been great, totally inspiring. My piece is inspired by the purity of the print making process—the directness of expression and the elegant simplicity of it all guided me to the essential . . . in form, in content, in meaning. Though it may only speak to me of these things the volatility of life and love is what I was thinking about as the image emerged."

Harry Bliss, who recently had an exhibit in the Amy E. Tarrant Gallery, says, "I am honored to be a part of this terrific project. My print image is a portrait of Bernie Sanders. His smart no-nonsense approach to politics is echoed in the medium of the woodblock print. Indeed, wood is emblematic of the strength of Vermont's spirit. Cutting into the pine board, I attempted to convey a hard-working compassionate soul who embodies a righteous determination. For me, Bernie is the ideal voice for all those Vermonters that make up the backbone of our great state."

• Event to benefit Burlington City Arts and the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts.
  
  Support provided by Amy E. Tarrant and Free Press Media.