By Tyler White | Reporter
On Tuesday, the Martin Museum of Art hosted their Print-A-Valentine event. This was a free event open to the public, inviting students, faculty and families to stop by and make a Valentine’s Day print while learning the process behind printmaking.
The event took place in the foyer of the Martin Museum of Art. It was a laid-back opportunity for people to come in, grab a drink and a snack, look through all of the various print options and make something special for their Valentine.
Allison Chew, director of the Martin Museum of Art, said the event is both an outreach program to the public as well as a fun, educational opportunity for those who want to see the printmaking process.
“I think it’s enjoyable because it’s a fine art experience that’s relatively easy,” Chew said. “It’s quick, and it’s just enjoyable. We have really fun plates that we made … we have some that are snarky, kind of anti-Valentine’s and some that are cute and punny.”
The prints are made by a process called relief printing. Linoleum blocks, called plates, have a design carved into them. A black ink is then used to cover the plate, then the paper is placed atop the plate and run under the printing press, pressing the ink onto the paper.
Dallas senior Cambelle Starnes, a student worker at the museum, said she helped find some of the new designs for this year. She said it was a great experience to help set up for the event and help guide people through the process while educating them about printmaking.
“I think it’s important just so that we get to communicate why printmaking is so important and why we still do that,” Starnes said.
Along with being a part of the process of setting up the event, Starnes said it was a great opportunity to connect with the community. Through this experience, she said it gave those working at the museum an opportunity to talk with students and families who are making their Valentine’s prints.
“It’s just a sweet way to connect and kind of get to hear about who they’re making it for, why they’re making it, even just ask how their day is going and get to form connections with people,” Starnes said.
