By Joslyn DelSignore / The Jambar
A group of Youngstown State University art students spent the week working one-on-one with Lari Gibbons, professional printmaker and professor at the University of North Texas, to create a collaborative print.
Gibbons flew in on March 8 in preparation to kick off the annual Red Press Collaborative on March 9.
Joseph D’Uva, art professor at YSU, started the collaborative in 2009 with the goal of giving students an environment where they could collaborate and learn from professional artists.
“It’s an opportunity to bring somebody in every year that shares their knowledge of the printmaking world with my students,” D’Uva said. “They’re getting not just me every year, they’re actually getting exposure to a variety of different artists over [the years] that they’re here at school.”
Gibbons started preparing elements for this project in her home studio. When she arrived at YSU, she and the students tested different variables such as colors, paint arrangements and proofs.
“One of the first ways that the students were really helpful is that they have a fresh perspective on the project,” Gibbons said.
After Gibbons and the students decided on a course of action for the project, they got to work. Students helped with wiping plates, running the press and preparing the paper.
“They’ve been deeply involved in all stages of the project, and they are an essential component to its success,” Gibbons said.
Lauren Barrett, senior interdisciplinary studio arts major, was one of the students working with Gibbons. Barrett said she’s learned a lot from the collaborative, specifically technique work, and enjoyed learning from a different perspective.
“Anytime we can have these new perspectives be brought into something that we’re familiar with, I feel like that expands the amount that we can learn from it greatly,” Barrett said.
Gibbons also said she felt that she learned a lot from the students at YSU.
“I love meeting students at other universities. They always give me a new perspective on my work, and I also love connecting with different academic institutions and different programs because I learn a lot about the wonderful things that they’re doing, and then I can bring those practices to my own institution and hopefully make it better,” Gibbons said.
While having the chance to work with a new artist, the collaborative also grants students the opportunity to learn about programs, practices or workshops through Gibbons’ connections.
D’Uva said the students will be given a printer’s proof, their own copy of the artist’s work, to thank them for their hard work throughout the week.
