A group of 5 high school students took on the “real world” challenge for a week this summer. Nelson-Atkins art teacher Kreshaun McKinney explained that the overall purpose of the class is to give students the opportunity to work directly with a local Kansas City artist.
The students visited the artist’s studio and then the artist came to the Nelson-Atkins to work with them on a project. McKinney hopes the Museum can continue to work with local artists on a regular basis.
The artist this year is Michelle Dreher who runs a printshop called Two Tone Press, as well as teaches art classes at the Museum.
A graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute, Dreher loves being an artist in Kansas City.
“The Kansas City art scene is great. We have a really strong community and there are a lot of people trying to do what they want with their art,” said Dreher. “It is really affordable so many artists are able to do their work without having to worry about money.”
The project for the class is called relief printing. The students began by finding images in magazines or books along with texture rubbings from wallpaper samples to inspire their design.
They traced over portions of the images onto acetate before using actual tracing paper and graphite to finalize their drawings. Once the drawings were completed, they placed them face down onto linoleum blocks. By rubbing the back of their drawings, they were easily able to get the graphite to transfer to the surface.
The next step is to carve away parts of the design. The remaining raised surface is the part that will get inked while the carved lines are left blank creating the patterns and images on the paper.
Once the design is ready, ink is rolled over the carved image. Then the inked plate is run through an etching press with paper placed on top.
Each design was unique. One had butterflies, another had skateboarders while yet another was a girl singing. The students each made multiple prints trying different colors.
In addition to learning the print making process, the students also discussed what it might mean to each of them to be an artist and what to look for in an art school. Whatever these girls end up doing, it looks like they have a bright future ahead!
Classes for high school students are available this fall. Click here for details.