The art of printmaking has existed for centuries.
A Cambridge-based collective of printmaking enthusiasts hopes to continue to share the traditional art form with the community as they search for a new home.
'We are trying to find a new space for a community print studio," said Ginny Carnevale, a member of the Riverside Print Group.
"We recently spoke to city council in favour of a staff recommendation to consider a business case for the use of a building on Cambridge St. as an Arts and Culture Hub."
The hope, Carnevale says, is to devote a space for a print studio as part of next year's budget.
Established in 2006, the Riverside Print Group studies, creates, and exhibits together. With nine members currently, the group facilitates community art projects and works to raise the profile of the art form they love.
Print group artists include Ginny Carnevale, Heather Franklin, Kari Melhus Mullin, Darryl Nunn, Laura Perrin, Betty Praught, Bill Praught, David Scott, Donna Stewart.
Printmaking is the process of creating artworks by printing, mostly on paper, but also on fabric, wood, metal, and other surfaces. Years ago, it was the way images were shared before photography.
"Everything is going to digital these days. This is how illustrations used to be done. We love it in it's traditional form and we want to teach people about where it came from," Carnevale said.
Carnevale says the Riverside Print Group grew out of a love of printmaking and a passion for sharing and teaching others.
"We all met through classes originally at the Cambridge Galleries before they became the Idea Exchange," Carnevale said.
After a while, the Idea Exchange Art Galleries partnered with the University of Waterloo's School of Architecture, and a print studio was established.
"Demand for classes grew and more space was needed. In response to the need and for print making instruction, a print studio was opened by renting space from the University School of Architecture," Carnevale said.
"It was such a beautifully lit studio, named after the director, Mary Meisner."
Carnevale says the studio was to have been under a 20 year lease, but because of a surge in enrollment in the University of Waterloo's School of Architecture, it was decommissioned early, in 2019.
"That was the studio we would all print in, together. That was our home," Carnevale said.
"We all took classes together, friendships formed, and then a group of individuals who love print making began. And then we all thought, we should start exhibiting our work together."
Specializing in printmaking at university, Carnevale says that she got to know a few Riverside Print Group members at various arts events and happenings before joining herself.
"I connected with the group, used the same studio space, and got to know everybody. And then they invited me to exhibit with them and be part of the group."
For anyone interested in printmaking, Carnevale says they must have to love for the entire process.
"It is a very process driven art form. The majority of the print making techniques that we use are very long and very tedious. And you have to enjoy the whole process where there is a lot of thought and planning," Carnevale said.
"Some projects are spontaneous, quick and fast, but there are lots that include a lot of planning. And even with all of the planning and all of the work, you never know how it's going to work out until you pull that first proof off of the press."
And that, Carnevale says, is the magic moment that all printmakers live for.
"It's exciting to have an idea, figure out the best processes, and have those conversations with each other," she said.
"It's about sharing ideas and talking about what techniques to use to make certain things happen. I love that about the group. It's very inclusive. Everyone is all in and they just want to make great prints," Carnevale said.
A number of members have taught print making at different organizations.
"That's a big part of what we have done over the years. It's quite important to us," Carnevale said.
The Riverside Print Group has hosted a variety of community engagement events including studio tours and exhibitions at various venues including the Cambridge Centre for the Arts, Carnegie Gallery in Dundas, the City Hall in Kitchener, the Homer Watson Gallery, and the Button Factory Arts in Waterloo.
The BIG Print Commemorative Community Quilt Project in 2013 featured a 24-foot-long community quilt on canvas that contained the printed designs of 240 residents, collected during the city’s 40th anniversary year. The Riverside Print Group printed the quilt with a road roller on Queen St. E. during Hespeler’s A Day & A Night Art Meets Music Festival.
Riverside Print Group continues to revisit and renew, take old ideas, and make them relevant for current times.
"We just want to teach people about the process behind printmaking. The city has been great in coordinating with us. We've had great support. The search to find a new community space is on," Carnevale said.
"There are lots of recreational facilities, but what's lacking is arts facilities in Cambridge and affordable studio space as well. There's alot being considered for that space on Cambridge St. and I think this could fill a need for a lot of different people," Carnevale said.
The studio space, Carnevale says, could help to alleviate isolation for seniors and offer great opportunities for youth and teens.
"We love doing community events, getting people out and teaching them about the process. Hopefully, we'll get more people interested. We look at this as a relocation of a community resource, a new print studio," Carnevale said.
"It's a great first step that we think is important. The possibilities are endless. Print making is such an inclusive medium for anyone, from four year olds to seniors. Having a community studio, would be a community builder."
