Program Overview

Introduction to Printmaking

The School of Art offers tracks in printmaking for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and the Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, as well as a minor in printmaking. Students explore advanced avenues of collaboration and expanding art practices while maintaining the integrity of existing traditional practices such as lithography, intaglio, relief, and silkscreen, and the art of the book and papermaking.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking

BFA undergraduate printmaking students explore and create using a continuum of processes while learning hands-on about the power of print, from its earliest history to its current potential with the application and integration of digital innovation and 3D printing and scanning technologies.

Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking

MFA graduate studies in printmaking consist of a vibrant and diverse community of student artists from across the United States and further abroad. From 1980 to the present, the program has been able to support all of its graduate students with assistantships. Graduate students develop strong professional and critical skills through in-depth critiques in advanced coursework and seminar classes.

Printmaking Curriculum

The printmaking curriculum is one of the most comprehensive and best-equipped in the United States. The 10,000-square-foot printmaking area in Hatcher Hall houses facilities for intaglio, lithography, screen printing, book arts, papermaking, digital, and darkroom development.

Printmaking Facilities and Equipment

The workspace features a unique opportunity to work on large-scale work, including two 10-feet Takach presses, one for etching, relief, and monoprinting and one for lithography. Additionally, there is a 5 x 10 feet vacuum table in papermaking. Printmaking equipment and resources also include:

• Intaglio
  • Three Takach presses, 49" x 120", 36" x 42", and 25ｽ" x 48"
  • Charles Brand press, 36" x 42"
  • Botega press, 25ｽ" x 47"
  • Inking stations with three hot plates
  • Color inking area with 3' x 4' glass slabs for color-mixing
• Lithography
  • Three large Takach Garfield presses, one of which has a 4' x 10' press bed with plate base
  • 10 stones ranging in size up to 30" x 40"
  • Plate lithography area with separate, ventilated plate-processing space and spray booth
  • Six large-diameter rollers ranging in size from 6" x 16" to 14" x 24"
  • Variety of smaller brayers and rollers
  • Large-format punch registration system
  • Light table, 4' x 5'
  • Large inking table on casters
• Silkscreen/Darkroom/Digital
  • Large, table-type mat cutter
  • Nu Arc vacuum frame exposure unit
  • Cincinnati screen-printing unit, 5' x 10'
  • Several smaller vacuum table stations
  • Adequate screen-drying and storage areas
  • Epson E9800 and 7500 plotter printers
• Book Arts/Papermaking
  • Vandercook SP 20 letterpress, 18" x 24"
  • Vandercook I letterpress, 15" x 22"
  • Tabletop intaglio press, 14" x 24"
  • Tabletop proofing press
  • Light table
  • Eight galley cabinets with galleys
  • Three job banks (composing stations)
  • More than 200 drawers of foundry type
  • An extensive library of type-high blocks with miscellaneous zinc cuts
  • Four Bunting magnetic plate bases with scribed grids

Printmaking Faculty

The School of Art's printmaking faculty are committed to fostering intensive exploration and development of each individual's unique personal vision while striving to offer a perfect marriage of new and historically grounded processes. The faculty includes:

• Leslie Koptcho, Professor & Area Coordinator
• Lauren Carden疽, Assistant Professor

Beyond the Studio

Printmaking has a long history of democratic and critical engagement within society. The print is a social agent, an advocate for and a vehicle of human expression and communication. Special projects, exchange portfolios and exhibitions, fieldtrips and study abroad opportunities, including Art in Florence, offer a broad range of practical and inspiring experience, bringing both the art world and larger world perspectives to the learning environments.

PrintClub

The Print Club, a student-run organization, exists to build better communication between printmaking students, artists, and alumni. The club also sponsors creative workshops and visiting artists.

Visiting Artists & Scholars

Visiting artists, scholars, and guest lecturers provide further opportunities for students to extend their creative interests and to establish connections with artists from a variety of disciplines.

Art & Design in Louisiana

The high ground above the Mississippi River is an environment where landscape, climate, history, and culture allow for a lifestyle that is uniquely suited to the artistic temperament.

College Facilities

Students have access to a traditional wood-working shop; digital fabrication, photography, and lighting equipment; large-scale printers and scanners; an arboretum; a foundry; a motion capture studio; high-end work stations; and more.

Galleries

The School of Art hosts exhibitions throughout the year at its on- and off-campus galleries. Students have abundant opportunities to see and experience innovative work from a wide range of perspectives and social themes.

New Arts Building

The renovated Barnes Ogden Art & Design Complex is the gateway to the historic part of campus with state-of-the-art facilities and studios for students, and galleries open to the community.