On June 22, a group of enthusiastic kids (and their guardians) gathered at the Sylvan Way location to learn the basics of letterpress thanks to Youth Services Librarian Kathleen Kondek and Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Education and DEI Advancement Programs Manager Becky Johnston.
During Art Out Loud: Letterpress, attendees had the opportunity to create their own letterpress print using ink and a provisional press.
The Art Out Loud program receives grant funding from ArtsWA and the National Education Association (NEA), which seeks to create spaces for art, language and community-building, emphasizing historically marginalized and underrepresented voices. Art Out Loud uses a train-the-trainers approach by providing letterpress training and print kits to classroom teachers, culture bearers and community education such as the Library.
Becky shared, “These partnerships reach students and their families at key moments during and outside school hours. We were delighted when Kathleen invited us to participate in the Summer Learning Program!”
Over two hours, the kids set type and ink plates and tackled technical issues, such as when the letter “D” was backward for their first “Dig Into Summer” print.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 1An example print greeted attendees when they arrived at Sylvan Way for the Art Out Loud: Letterpress event.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 2BIMA staff member Becky Johnston shows the kids how to assemble their type blocks.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 3Attendees watch as Becky brings art to life!
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 4And then each artist had the chance to make their own print!
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 5For attendees too young to use the print kit, stamps were provided!
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 6One attendee with his “Dig Into Summer” print.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 7Figuring out how to correct a typo was part of the learning process!
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 8Becky helps two kids select their blocks.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 9Becky shared that all attendees were “engaged and working hard!”
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 10The time came for each attendee to design their own print after all had created a “Dig Into Summer” print.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 11Becky said, “The flow was real!” Every artist was focused on creating their print.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 12Several attendees shared their appreciation for being able to create their own art!
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 13A few examples of prints.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 14The artists pose with their prints alongside Youth Services Librarian Kathleen Kondek and BIMA team member Becky Johnston.
Art Out Loud: Letterpress 15The artists with their masterpieces!
“It’s always joyful to share in the type of co-learning and collaboration that happens during a letterpress print-in. I especially loved working with students to mix colors so they could shout their stories! That was a learning process for all. But the best part is seeing the look of awe when a printer lifts their work off the press and sees the kind of “magic” that has just happened. There is a power and agency that comes with putting type to page that just shines through!”
Youth Services Librarian Kathleen said, “I can’t believe we got six finished pieces in two hours from youth who’d never done this before! That speaks to Becky’s amazing work as an educator and instructor. She got six kids doing everything from typesetting to the appropriate way to clean our brayers and inks.”
“Letterpress is something that feels fun, experimental and collaborative. Things like Art Out Loud serve as a good reminder that youth voices can be loud and big, too!”
Looking for more summer fun? Check out all of the Library’s Summer Learning programs here.
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