3/20/2012
 

Printmaking artist coming to UW-Stevens Point

A printmaker and book artist who evokes strong emotions with his work will serve a guest residency at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point March 26-30.

Amos Kennedy, Jr., who calls himself “a humble negro printer,” will use the week to work with students, faculty, and the public  free of charge in the Carlsten Gallery in the Noel Fine Arts Center. The gallery will have a press set up in their exhibit space, where Kennedy will be printing posters and speaking about his art.  

His residency will culminate at the annual Festival of the Arts on Sunday, April 1, with a reception and sale of the posters he creates during the visit. Held in the Noel Fine Arts Center, the festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public, free of charge. 

Kennedy quit his job as a computer programmer shortly after turning 40 by submitting his resignation on a (rumored) piece of toilet paper, and then found his calling in letterpress. His powerful work in letterpress and books has earned him a strong following, even inspiring a documentary film, “Proceed and Be Bold,” by filmmaker Laura Zinger.  

"The work of this self-proclaimed ‘Humble Negro Printer’ raises emotionally-charged questions and reveals remarkable depth beneath the bold print," according to Zinger’s website. "By learning the rules and then choosing to break them, Amos redefines what life (and letterpress printing) can be: exhilarating and subversive." 

Since finding his calling as an artist, Kennedy, who works from his studio in Alabama, has created such books as the “Mask Book,” “Riddle Book,” “Charm/Snake Book,” and “Cryptics Book.” His prints and books are created to intentionally evoke strong emotions and address the issues of race, equality and freedom. One poster he’s created states, “A room without a book is like a body without a soul.” 

For more information about Amos Kennedy, Jr., go to www.kennedyprints.com and for information on the Carlsten Gallery exhibits, go to www.uwsp.edu/art-design. The gallery is open from 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Monday-Friday, with additional hours on Thursday evenings from 7—9 p.m. and from 1—4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.