Woodblock Print Workshop

Wharton Esherick, a featured artist at Modernism Museum Mount Dora, famously produced many woodblock prints in his lifetime, most notably as illustrations for the books, Rhymes of the Early Jungle Folk and Song of the Broad Axe. This art form can be traced back centuries to the ukiyo-e discipline in Japan, in which countless prints have been made, with subjects ranging from landscapes of the Japanese countryside to kabuki actors. On March 2nd, the Museum will provide you the opportunity to learn the basics for yourself at a three-hour workshop taught by local artist Jennifer Harper.
Jennifer is a native of Mount Dora with a BFA in drawing from UF. She also studied sculpture, clay and intaglio printmaking. Jennifer started her printmaking journey eight years ago in her home. Her passion developed while living in Ningbo, China, where she taught a simple lesson plan on block printing at an international school. Once she returned to the States, Jennifer dedicated herself to learning as much as she could about her art. She now has a studio at 1128 N Donnelly St. in Mount Dora, where she teaches lessons and hosts a weekly Open Press group. At these meetings, between fifteen and twenty artists of all levels of experience are invited to make their own prints. Jennifer is thrilled to see these numbers growing and to watch as the group members experiment with new techniques and learn from each other. Jennifer says:
“Relief printmaking is especially fun and challenging for the thought process involved, your ideas take form as you cut lines of light into a dark surface. It may seem that every move has to be so well planned, but within the cut are a million opportunities for spontaneity. Printmaking calls upon a wide range of skills and is always a process of learning as I go. My prints are in very small editions; within those editions there are often many variations of color and paper. Once I have pulled the edition, I am anxious to move onto the next idea. I am having a tremendous amount of fun sharing my work and my press with the local community.”
Jennifer’s work is currently on display at Mount Dora Center for the Arts and at Artisans on 5th.
The beginner workshop will include the student’s choice of several basic designs, and personal time with Jennifer as she explains how to cut a small block (wood or linoleum) and make an ink print from it. All tools and supplies will be provided.   Space is limited to 8 people. To register, call (352) 385-0034 or stop by the museum Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm.