Carbondale Arts is kicking off October’s First Friday with a reception at the Launchpad featuring two dynamic exhibitions by local artists. From bold prints to thought-provoking student projects, the evening will showcase the creative talent that thrives in the Roaring Fork Valley.
One of the exhibitions, titled Women (Im)Print, highlights hand-printed works by local artists Katie Browne and Bailey Haines. Both artists, who are friends and collaborators, explore printmaking as their primary form of expression. The title Women (Im)Print reflects the impact people and places have had on their lives, as well as the creative imprint they leave through their art.
Haines explained that attendees can expect to see a wide variety of printmaking techniques.
“I think that people attending can be prepared to experience a broad range of printmaking,” Haines said. “It comes in many different styles and forms, and we both have different styles represented in the show which offer a really beautiful effect.”
Browne’s contributions to the exhibition include works made using cyanotypes, a process where paper or fabric is exposed to the sun to create vibrant blue designs.
“Katie works with cyanotypes, and she has some really beautiful, large hanging fabric pieces,” Haines said. “The process involves exposing fabric or paper to the sun, creating stunning indigo designs.”
Haines described her own work as explorations of her garden, using a method called monoprinting.
“My work is like two different methods of monoprints,” Haines said. “One involves using inks to paint onto a surface, which I then run through a printing press, layering it over and over.”
The second exhibition, titled Community Service Print Projects, is organized by The Project Shop, a local arts nonprofit. This exhibition features the work of student artists who have used printmaking to explore social issues important to them. The Project Shop, which provides students with access to design and printmaking instruction, aims to give young artists the tools to express their voices.
Reina Katzenberger, founder of The Project Shop, shared that the students’ work highlights their bravery and creativity.
“Anyone able to go see the exhibition will be able to truly see an honest expression from these students,” Project Shop founder Reina Katzenberger said. “They found the courage to share something that really matters to them, and it’s done in a high-quality way that honors their voices.”
The exhibition showcases nine student projects, each one focused on a critical issue chosen by the student.
“Each student has expressed a very rejuvenated excitement towards creative expression and art, and remembering what the project meant to them and how it felt,” Katzenberger said.
The Project Shop’s program is supported by an Arts in Society grant and other donations. Katzenberger expressed how meaningful it was to reconnect with students featured in the exhibition who are now in college, with some studying as far away as Barcelona and Hawaii.
“It’s incredible to see how their creativity and bravery in expressing themselves have carried over into their lives,” Katzenberger said.
The reception will take place at The Launchpad from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 4, with an artist talk at 5:30 p.m. Both exhibitions will run through Nov 1.
