Menomonie, Wis. –University of Wisconsin-Stout Print Club and printmaking faculty in the School of Art and Design recently incorporated road construction equipment into their creative process.
After carving large fiberboard plates, most of which are hand-carved and around 3 by 4 feet in size, the group inked and pressed the prints on fabric at a Steamroller Printmaking event on the sidewalk outside of the Applied Arts Building and Micheels Hall on April 29.
Students reveal a pressed print.
Between 20 to 25 prints were pulled and are on display in the atrium outside of the Furlong Gallery in Applied Arts. They will be on display at the SOAD Senior Show on Friday, May 6.
Assistant Professor Rachel Bruyaran the event from 2016 to 2019. She and Professor Bryan Ritchie worked closely with SOAD interim Director Charlie Lume for the past year to bring the event back after a three-year hiatus.
“It’s very exciting to have the event again. There is a lot of energy and excitement in the air,” Bruya said. “The steamroller event develops a really strong sense of community. Many students and faculty are creating individual works, but the focus of the event is on the sense of community-building in printmaking and demonstrating that to the public.
“We work together, we problem solve and we do it all in public so everyone can watch. Following this event, many of our students feel more confident in their abilities to problem solve and execute their ideas and are inspired by the importance of creating a vibrant culture,” she added.
