Teens from the area are gearing up for yet another amazing TEENSPACE program, and this year’s focus is on print-making. Throughout the week, participants will have the opportunities to try different methods of printmaking and bookbinding, while discussing how young people can plan for careers in the arts. Symbolically, binding a book of your artwork can also bind you to your artistic aspirations.
We’re lucky enough to have astounding guest artists leading some of the sessions this year, including MASS MoCA artist Johnny Carrera, featured in the exhibition “Life’s Work,” opening April 6th. Johnny is best known for creating Pictorial Webster’s Dictionary, using archived printing blocks that were used in the 1859 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, as well as sprinkling in a few of his own original images. They are arranged alphabetically, albeit with a sense of humor. Our brain seeks to form a narrative with these totally disparate images, says Johnny, so that’s why he plays with combining these tiny pictures in interesting ways, encouraging readers to create an infinite number of stories.
Another week, teens will travel downtown to North Adams’ own PRESS— a letterpress and gallery operated by Melanie Mowinski, also a professor at MCLA. PRESS is one of the Downstreet Art galleries, that also hosts workshops and demonstrations. “In a time when many people feel detached from print that isn’t on a computer screen,” says Melanie on her website, “PRESS embraces the physicality of the printing process, celebrating the tactile qualities of beautiful handset lead and wood type prints.” Building on what participants have learned about sandragraph and lithograph printing, Melanie will introduce us to her gorgeous Vandercook Universal press, as well as the ins and outs of being a working artist in the Berkshires.
Just as astounding, we’re sure, will be the creations of the young budding artists participating — after all, this program could make a big imPRINT on someone’s life. All sessions are FREE, and will be held 6-8pm for the next eight Tuesdays. If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in TEENSPACE, send us a message on Facebook, email us at kidspace@massmoca.org or give us a call: 413. 664.4481 ext.8131. 