Andrew Blanchard Curates National Printmaking Exhibition

Works by 21 printmakers from around the United States are included in an exhibition curated by Converse professor Andrew Blanchard at Southside Art Gallery in Oxford, Miss. Titled Winter’s Ink, the exhibit features relief prints, intaglio prints, lithographs, screen prints and digital prints.
Among the artists Blanchard selected for the exhibition is Converse alumna Katy Butler, who studied with Blanchard while earning her BFA degree in printmaking at Converse. Blanchard, Associate Professor of Printmaking and Photography at Converse, is an award-winning printmaker whose works have been included in more than 60 national and international juried printmaking exhibitions, and published in Printmakers Today and New American Paintings. Blanchard has exhibited his work at Southside Gallery since 2004.
“This exhibit will offer printmaking enthusiasts a great opportunity to see what kinds of prints are being made by a diverse group of artists from many different regions of the country,” said Southside Gallery’s Wil Cook. “Andrew has a wonderful reputation nationally and internationally among printmakers. He is highly respected in his field and was a natural choice to curate the exhibit.”
“As a professor, my ultimate purpose is to be a legitimate example of what a solid, up-to-date working artist is.”
Andrew Blanchard
Blanchard selected artists whom he admired and respected over the course of his career as a printmaker. In addition to following the careers of these artists, Blanchard has also exhibited with many of them in other galleries and museums. These artists include Janet Ballweg, Michael Barnes, Katy Butler, Steve Chapp, Virginia Rougon Chavis, Jonas Criscoe, William Dunlap, Barbara Duval, Tim High, Mark Hosford, Tony Lazorko, Angela Malchionno, Johanna Paas, Joseph Parra, Brandon Sanderson, D.L. Simmons, Laurie Sloan, Stephanie Smith, Tanja Softic and Deborah Weiss. Blanchard’s work will also be on display.
“I wanted to include work from artists that represent the five major printmaking processes, creating a well-rounded viewing in regards to the technical aspect of the medium. This goes for style and concept, too, incorporating a wide range of varied visuals, subject matter, etc.,” said Blanchard, who is enjoying an exciting academic year that began with a bang as three of his works were published in the Southern edition of New American Paintings magazine. Blanchard has built an international audience for his work over the last seven years by exhibiting in more than 70 shows and having his work collected in France, Bulgaria, South Korea and the United Kingdom as well as the United States.
“As a professor, my ultimate purpose is to be a legitimate example of what a solid, up-to-date working artist is. One who continues to evolve his own work, as well as being a facilitator and mentor.”