The introductory and intermediate printmaking classes came together to host “Mop Water,” an etching exhibition at The Warehouse, located at 2301 Bull St. in the thriving Starland District.
“We had a push from our professor,” said Kristian Stojek, a fourth-year graphic design major in the intermediate etching class. “But we made all of the decisions.”
Chandler White fixes a label at “Mop Water,” an etching exhibition hosted by printmaking students. Photo by Diana Vega Vega.
Debora Oden, one of three printmaking professors at SCAD Savannah, strongly encourages all of her classes to get their work out and show it off to the public. The event this past Friday is evidence of her efforts.
“She makes us organize it,” said Libby Scobee, a fourth-year photography major. “But she’s the one that organizes us.”
There were all kind of prints, from fine art and abstract pieces to illustrative etchings of characters and landscapes.
Labels marked them as chine-collé and intaglio, identifying the different processes used in developing the prints.
Students created the prints with copper plates and used a variety of methods and techniques to make their images — from soft and hard ground etching, relief, engraving and drypoint, to mezzotint and aquatint etching with acid-resistant resin.
Roaming around the room looking at prints in the laid back environment, students snacked on chips and salsa, homemade cake, and vegetables.
The refreshments table even had a printmaking press on it.
Visitors were welcome to grab a plastic cup of wine or beer while browsing. Toward the end of the night a group of students got on stage and performed a few songs.
Etching students, friends and other guests chat by the stage. Photo by Diana Vega Vega.
“It’s very comfortable, calm and chill,” said Vicky Cromwell, a third-year fashion design major.
She stopped by the exhibition to support her friends and because she was interested in how she could use printmaking with fashion.
“I want to incorporate printmaking into my designs,” said Cromwell. “You can print anything on cotton.”
And fashion designers aren’t the only students interested in printmaking.
Nikky Stewart, a second-year graphic designer, decided to switch majors after getting involved in printmaking. For Stewart and Stojek, graphic design lacked the hands-on aspect that printmaking supplied.
“Graphic design can be really detached,” said Stewart. “And with printmaking you’re really connected.”
SCAD Savannah only offers classes for a printmaking minor, so the department is fairly small. Each of the classes involved in the exhibition only have around 13 students.
But students such as Stewart are hopeful for a more populated future.
“It would be amazing if our department could grow and we could get more interest.”
Photos by Diana Vega Vega.