Woodtype from the Underworld

The basement printshop of WNYBAC has a treasure trove of wood and metal typefaces. WNYBAC member and designer Brian Grunert recently descended the staircase into the printshop to unearth and print some wood type fonts (that have never been digitized) for use on the new Anaïs Mitchell album: Hadestown . Some things just cant be faked in photoshop. This is real woodtype with hand inking used in the design. A previous project with woodtype via WNYBAC was the Woody Guthrie Live Wire CD packaging. More and more people are realizing that hand printed and handmade art and design has applications for even mass produced items. This is a good thing.

Demo Days: Leather Tooling with Linda Steffan

Last night a group of 8 participants had the opportunity to learn a whole lot about leather from area expert and owner of M. Steffan's Sons Leather Supplies, Linda Steffan.

Linda passed around several types of leather from pig to crocodile to lamb and everyone got to see what makes these leathers unique and what they are used for.



Next the group had the opportunity to try some of Linda's tools including leather punches, stamps, and cutters.



After our thoroughly interesting leather lesson, everyone got a chance to try their hand at stamping some leather. Linda provided raw leather key chains for everyone, and a good time was had by all trying the different stamps and designs.

A finished key fob:



Don't worry if you missed it, we will be bringing Linda back for a workshop this summer on a stab-stitch leather bound book! Stay tuned for details.

We brought Linda to the Book Arts Center as part of our Demo Days series. Demo Days are held at various Wednesday evenings from 6-8 pm. They are free to the public.

This series is made possible in part by the Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), a state agency.

Lademann Skull End Paper Pins

The Buffalo & Erie County Central Library generously donated a box of their deaccessioned books to WNYBAC to use for altering and workshops. Most of the books are in Danish and Swedish, and upon closer inspection we found a certain Danish publisher called Lademann based in Copenhagen used some pretty cool skull end papers for their books!

There were 6 or 7 of them all in different colors, so we decided to turn them into buttons.

They're going for $1 a piece (or 3 for $2) in the WNYBAC shop so stop by and pick up a few of these limited edition 1960's Danish end paper pins!

The book:



The paper:



The pins!

Amos Kennedy, Jr. at WNYBAC

Amos Kennedy, Jr. joined us at the Book Arts Center last night following the screening of Proceed and Be Bold!, a documentary about Kennedy, in Rochester Monday night. Those that came out to WNYBAC to meet Amos had a chance to "talk shop" and enjoy casual conversation with Amos before he returned to Alabama Wednesday morning.

WNYBAC plans to bring Amos and the film to Buffalo at a later date, stay tuned for details!

We also have a few of Amos' posters left in the WNYBAC shop. Stop by and pick one up-only $15 each!

Inside Looking Out

Amos Kennedy Jr. in Rochester and Buffalo This Week

Amos Kennedy, Jr. will be in Rochester this Monday for a screening of Proceed and Be Bold! at the Genesee Center for the Arts. He will be attending the screening and a Q & A session following the film.

Proceed and Be Bold!

Monday, April 19, 2010 from 7:00 until 8:30

This documentary covers the life and works of Amos Paul Kennedy Jr, an African American letterpress printer who left his day job to become a full-time printer in Alabama.

Location:
Cinema Theater, 957 South Clinton, Rochester, NY

See the full Genesee Center for the arts listing here.

On Tuesday evening, Amos will be at the Western New York Book Arts Center in Buffalo for a casual meet-and-greet. Stop by the Book Arts Center between 7 and 9pm to talk printing with an influential letterpress printer.

WNYBAC will be bringing the film Proceed and Be Bold! to Buffalo at a later date.

Interns Needed for Summer and Fall 2010

The Western New York Book Arts Center is looking for a few interns for both the summer and fall 2010 semesters!

We will consider upper level undergraduate and graduate students in:

Design, Fine Art, and Poetics-
Students in fine arts, design, and poetics will have the  opportunity to work hands-on with letterpresses and assist  with events, exhibitions, demonstrations, and in other  aspects of the gallery and museum. No prior knowledge of  letterpress is required. Library Science-

Seeking a library science student to help implement a  cataloging system and organize our small arts-centered  library. The intern will gain special library experience  as well as general book arts and letterpress experience.  

Museum Studies-

Museum studies intern wanted to formalize our interpretive  materials and enhance displays as well as functional  printshop components that double as displays, assist in curation of  exhibitions, and museum management. 

All interns will also sweep and mop floors, run errands,  assist with field trips, and contribute to shop and studio  maintenance.   Hours are flexible, but interns must be available at least  1-2 days during our open hours Wednesday-Saturday 12-6pm.  Internships are 1-5 credit hours and unpaid.  

All interested applicants should send a CV or resume to jessica@wnybookarts.org for consideration.  

Drive By Press at WNYBAC

Drive By Press visited WNYBAC this week. Last night we all enjoyed viewing their work and watching them do what they do. Check back for additional images and comments on a great experience.

Drive By Press at the WNY Book Arts Center

Drive By Press at the WNY Book Arts Center
A special one -day exhibit/reception
Western NY Book Arts Center
468 Washington St.
Buffalo NY 14203
Friday April 9 7-10pm
Admission: Free

Following a week-long residency at the WNYBAC Printshop, Drive by press will display a special one-day exhibit of highlights from their traveling collection and the work created during their week at WNYBAC!

Drive By Press was created to educate and share the contemporary practice of printmaking with students and art audiences across America. DBP has visited well over 100! Universities, Colleges,and public schools, traveling over 100,000 miles!
During each stop DBP collects prints from area artists, amassing the largest collection of contemporary prints from across the country! DBP is a self- funded endeavor solely surviving on small visiting artists honorariums from schools and from the sales of printing wood blocks on paper and t-shirts. Many blocks have been graciously donated from some of the greatest wood cut artists in the country to support and perpetuate the the endeavor of Drive By press!!