“This course is for anyone who has even an inkling of interest in printmaking,” said Deedee Alexandre, one of the participants in this weekend’s Linocut Printmaking Workshop at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre.
The two-day introductory workshop taught the basics of linocut printmaking technique, as learners printed their own holiday cards. Over the weekend the four students learned how to transfer an image to a plate, handle linocut tools, ink the plate with a brayer and correct hand printing technique. This program was intended as a first step to introduce students to the world of printmaking.
This is the world of local artist and workshop instructor Anick Fernandez, who has experimented with many different types of media over her career as an artist, including drawing, oil, pastel, acrylics and sculpture. She has had her work exhibited in Europe and North America. Originally from Mexico, where she began her career, Fernandez has also lived and worked in Montreal and in Madrid, before moving to Niagara-on-the-Lake last year. She explained that in 1995, she began experimenting with different printing techniques at L’Atelier de l’Ile in Val-David, a print art production centre near Montreal. She said she had been curious about printmaking and began taking courses starting with silk screen printing. She found that she enjoyed it so much she furthered her education in other printing techniques such as dry point, aquatint, linocuts, etching and monotypes.
When Fernandez moved to Spain, she says she turned to printmaking, setting up a studio in Madrid, complete with a printing press. In 2005, she began experimenting with a mid-century printmaking process called collography. After years of experimentation and skill development, Fernandez began teaching printmaking in 2013, and when she moved to NOTL in 2019, she brought her printing press from Spain. She runs a studio here, where she teaches non-toxic and environmentally-friendly printmaking techniques.
For further information on her work and workshops, please contact anickferlaf@gmail.com.
For the kids, the Pumphouse is offering an art kit for a project the family can make at home. This Holiday Ornament kit includes all the materials, and a virtual login with step-by-step video to create two clay ornaments using the child’s handprints and fingerprints. These kits are available at the gallery during gallery hours. The cost is $25 for non-members, and $21.25 for Pumphouse members.
The Pumphouse is also offering other upcoming workshops. In the virtual video series: Beginner’s Tips in Acrylics by Sandy – For Your Artistic Journey in Acrylic Painting, artist Sandra Nass Misiak presents a series of videos to help novice artists get started, with Preparing Painting Surfaces in Gesso, and helping with colour blending and experimentation in an Introduction to Acrylic Paints and Mixing a Limited Palette. The eight videos can be purchased for viewing individually for $10 each or $50 for the series, which will be available for the month of December.
As for in-house workshops, the Pumphouse has two upcoming workshops. On Saturday Nov. 28, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., instructor Janet Sales will be presenting a Star is Born Wreath Workshop. This workshop promises to be a fun and instructive afternoon for anyone who wants to learn how to make a festive decoration for the holidays. The cost, including materials is $75. If you are a Pumphouse Member there is a $4 discount.
The next in-house workshop is Knitting for Beginners – Infinity Cowl. Deedee Alexandre, instructor and printmaking participant, invites all beginners to this workshop. She will go over how to cast on stitches to the needles, knit and purl, cast off and connect the end in order to complete the pattern for the infinity cowl. The completed project will be a great addition to your own winter wardrobe or a great gift for someone on your holiday list. This class takes place on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The cost including for the class is $61 for non-members and $53 for Pumphouse members. Participants will be expected to arrive with needles and yarn. A materials list is provided.
All in-house workshops are expected to go ahead as planned, according to marketing coordinator Aimee Medina, as the Niagara Region is still allowing restricted indoor gatherings. The arts centre is taking all the necessary precautions to keep their staff and participants safe, with health screening and sanitization centres upon arrival. Physical distancing and workshop limits are also in effect.
Register for Pumphouse programs online, or call the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre on Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to register by phone at 905-468-5455.