Since before Kate Luppold became director of the Library Arts Center, more than a decade ago, a letterpress had been sitting in the Newport, N.H. nonprofit’s basement.
Over the past several months, the press has been moved out of its hiding place and into a new letterpress studio, where the LAC is now offering an introductory class in letterpress printing.
In addition to the press from the basement, which had been donated by Ted English and his family, the LAC was given a larger press and other printing equipment by Keith and Sylvia McElreavy, owners of Newport’s now closed Barrett Press, which used the press to print everything from wedding invitations to the high school newspaper before letterpress printing became obsolete.
The renowned media theorist Marshall McLuhan posited that old technologies, particularly forms of media, don’t die out, but become art. Letterpress printing, like the manual typewriter, vinyl records and film photography, has been enjoying a surge in popularity.
For years, the Dartmouth Book Arts Studio has put a version of McLuhan’s theory into practice offering classes in printing and bookbinding to the college community. Bob Metzler of the Book Arts Studio has helped former LAC board member Ann St. Martin Stout set up the letterpress studio in Newport, which now has nearly 100 plates with illustrations, 24 drawers of type and two sets of wooden type.
Luppold said Wednesday that one woman who has signed up for a letterpress class remembers using the larger press to print the high school paper, which seems to close history’s loop.
Plans call for adding classes and studio hours at the LAC to accommodate interest in the letterpresses. And if the presses lead to more book arts programs, so much the better, Luppold said.
For more information, or to set up a tour of the studio or take a letterpress class (which is a prerequisite for using the presses), contact the LAC at 603-863-3040.
“Considering Kunisada and His Depictions of the Chushingura,” an exhibition of prints by the madly prolific and inventive 19th-century Japanese printmaker, is on view at Matt Brown Fine Art in Lyme through April 6. A talk and viewing party are planned for 2 to 5 p.m. on March 10.
Two Rivers Printmaking Studio is holding a series of workshops led by Upper Valley printmakers. The first, “Nontoxic Printmaking: Solarplates for Photographers,” taught by Linda Bryan, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. For more information and to see the full slate of workshops, go to tworiversprintmaking.org.
Tunbridge Public Library. “Coming Into the Light,” paintings by Tunbridge artist Anna Ross, is on view through Monday.
AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon. 11th Annual High School Exhibition, through March 8.
Betty Grant Gallery, Converse Free Library, Lyme. “15 Years of Monday Painting: A Journey,” features oil paintings by the Monday painting class led by artist Aline Ordman. Through March 30.
BigTown Gallery, Rochester, Vt. “Late Works,” recent “construction and collage” by Varujan Boghosian, and “A Muse: A visit to the studio of Varujan Boghosian,” a portfolio of photographs by Erick Hufschmid, will remain on view through March 16.
Center for the Arts, New London. The New London Inn shows photographs by Marc Beerman; at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, abstract work of Roger Wells and sculptures by Loren Howar; Blue Loon Bakery, photographs by Rick Stockwell; Whipple Hall Gallery shows work by Proctor Academy students; and Emil Nelson Gallery and Annex shows work by 20th-century artists.
Chandler Gallery, Randolph. “Paper Possibilities,” a group show of works made on and of paper by 10 artists, through March 2.
Chelsea Public Library. “Aspects of the Universe,” paintings in acrylic and watercolor by Chelsea artist Marina Sprague, through next Thursday.
Chew & Co. Design, Hanover. Paintings in egg tempera and precious metals by Windsor artist Gary Milek, through February.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon. Winter exhibitions include: woodworker Put Blodgett, a Bradford native now living in Hanover; Neysa Russo, who makes wool felt tapestry in Corinth; Westminster, Vt., painter Liz Hawkes deNiord; photographer Bruce Parsons, of New London; painter Alan Zola Shulman, also of New London; pastelist Gale Sweet; painter Sharla Broughton; and oil painter Bill Turner, a retired automotive restorer from Milford, N.H.
Gallery at the Space on Main, Bradford, Vt. “Going With the Flow,” paintings by Newbury, Vt., artist Robert Chapla. Through February.
The Great Hall, Springfield, Vt. “Healing: The Transformative Imagery of Art” includes work by Margaret Jacobs, of Enfield; Carolyn Enz Hack, of East Thetford; and Robert O’Brien, Robert Carsten and Neomi Lauritsen, of Springfield. Through March 30.
Jaffe-Friede Gallery, Hopkins Center, Hanover. “Where We Come From,” work by artist-in-residence Emily Jacir. In the adjacent Strauss Gallery is “Book Arts Across Disciplines: Work Made in the Dartmouth Book Arts Workshop.” Through March 3
Kilton Public Library, West Lebanon. Artwork by students at Hanover Street School. Through May.
Library Arts Center, Newport, N.H. Juried Regional Exhibit and “Text & Textiles,” groups shows. Through March 21.
Long River Gallery, White River Junction. “The Mind Is a City,” mixed media work by Becky Coburn, of Amesbury, Mass., and “Photographic Vision,” by Matthew Sergeant.
Main Street Museum, White River Junction. “Jack Rowell, Cultural Documentarian: Portraits of Vermont People and Other Wildlife.”
North Common Arts, Chelsea. Paintings by Swiss-born artist Friedrich (Fritz) Gross that combine folklore, myth, and fantasy. Through March 16.
Osher@Dartmouth, Hanover. “Explore the White Line Woodcut Print,” prints by Pomfret artist Marilyn Syme. Through March 22.
Royalton Memorial Library, in South Royalton, Paintings by South Woodstock artist Sue Lenfest.
Scavenger Gallery, White River Junction. “Bewildered,” recent work by Montpelier artist Daryl Burtnett in a variety of media and jewelry by gallery owner Stacy Hopkins.
Steven Thomas, Inc. Fine Arts & Antiques, White River Junction. Work by Upper Valley “vintage” artists, such as Alice Standish Buell, John Semple and Horace Brown is on view.
Two Rivers Printmaking Studio, White River Junction. Work by the studio’s artist-members. Through February.
White River Gallery, South Royalton. “Americans Who Tell the Truth,” portraits by Maine artist Robert Shetterly.
Zollikofer Gallery, White River Junction. “Landscapes Near and Far,” paintings by Thetford artist Jean Gerber. Through March 30.
Alex Hanson can be reached at ahanson@vnews.com or 603-727-3207.
