Art Pick: PrintAustin

by Sam Sumpter

PrintAustin is similar to the East Austin Studio Tour, but its focus, is on one unique and accessible medium: print. (And no specific geographical restrictions.) Now in its third year, PrintAustin is a self-directed event that occurs over the course of one month at over 30 venues, and shines the spotlight on a traditional and often overlooked art form.

“Our main focus is to promote artists working with printmaking,” says Elvia Perrin, co-founder and one of the executive directors of PrintAustin. “It’s a traditional medium, and galleries don’t always exhibit because of the lower price point, the multiplicity. We encourage the galleries to show print exhibitions, which in our world is kind of rare.”

The event kicks off January 15 with exhibitions at Canopy featuring the works of artists like Melissa Brown, Carlos Hernandez and more, and continues in full force the following day with a roster of events that includes a juried show at Flatbed Press and Gallery. Throughout the month, attendees can expect an abundance of exhibitions, workshops and interactive activities, plus the opportunity to acquire typically affordable — and always one-of-a-kind — pieces of art.

“The reason I love printmaking is it’s so versatile,” says Perrin, an artist herself, who teaches drawing and printmaking at Texas State University. “It can be hand-drawn, photographic, layered with color. The range is like no other form of art … and each is uniquely individual because each one is made by hand.”

PrintAustin takes place from January 15 through February 15 at multiple venues throughout Austin.

_{Read more from the Interiors Issue | January 2016}