CMU Print Exchange in Park Library features art from across nation

Standout prints from around the country grace the walls of the Extended Hours Study Room at the Central Michigan University Charles V. Park Library.

The print exchange and exhibit, in its fifth consecutive year, is sponsored by CMU’s Print Club. The Print Club, a registered student organization, brings together students interested in printmaking within CMU’s campus.

Printmaking requires a matrix – a material that is drawn onto, scratched or carved. The matrix is inked and transferred to paper with the help of a printing press. One of the unique qualities of creating prints is the ability to create many different layers in a single image.

The exhibit displays prints from across the nation, which makes the exhibit unique from other displays presented in the library throughout the year.

Coordinator of Exhibits and Projects Janet Danek said having multiple universities involved makes for a more interesting exhibit.

“I wouldn’t say the university lets you see how Central Michigan matches up to other schools. Creativity is on an equal playing field,” Danek said. “But it does allow you to compare our students’ work with work from others.”

Associate art and design professor Johanna Paas, who organized the exhibit, said this year also featured a rule change that allowed students more flexibility.

“In the past, participants were asked to respond to a theme,” Paas said. “This year, the students decided to let the artists choose the theme or subject matter for their prints. Personally, I think that allowed the artists more freedom and resulted in stronger outcomes.”

Junior Zachary Taylor entered his print, called “The Forbidden,” to the competition. The piece is a depiction of the classic Garden of Eden story. Taylor said he was inspired by his childhood and, now, parenthood.

“I know when I was a kid, there were things that were forbidden to me, that I was not allowed to do,” the Mayville native said. “And now that I have my own kid, there are things that he is also not allowed to do.”

The painting took Taylor about ten hours to make, much of that time involving grinding stone.

“Printing is more appealing to me because of the physical aspect. Most artwork just involves someone just painting or drawing,” Taylor said. “But this takes physical effort. You’re even more involved in producing the work.”

The exhibition will be on display until March 30.