MONTH OF PRINTMAKING

The Firehouse Art Center presents the first showing of Gregory Santos’ print exchange project, Mixed Grit. Featuring 24 prints representing the full scope of the project to date, each work is created by a different artist
from around the country, and printed by Santos at Art Gym in Denver.

OPENING RECEPTION: FRIDAY, March 11, 6-9PM

Every four months, four artists are sent a small lithographic stone in the mail. Stones vary in size but are approximately 8 x 10 inches (203mm x 254mm). The stone surfaces are prepared at carborundum 220 before being mailed to the artists via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping. All images are drawn using only a Korn’s No.3 paper-wrapped lithographic crayon pencil. Each image is printed in a small, limited edition of 5 copies. No prints are for sale directly from Mixed Grit. Artist participation is by invitation.

Paper size for all prints: 18 x 15 inches (457mm x 381mm).

The print exchange is a long-running tradition among printmakers that serves as a model for collecting art, and building professional networks and community. In sending each artist the stone to work on, Santos’ exchange is unique. His coordination of specific supplies, alongside the limitations imposed by the size of the stone, guarantee a series of works consistent in their presentation, while allowing each artist to create something unique. Seeing the entire collection together is a lesson in the range and scope of work produced by contemporary printmakers, serving as an introduction to each of the participating artists, many of whom do not regularly produce lithographs. Together the series is a captivating expression of skill and community.

View the full project on instagram @mixedgrit and www.gregorysantos.com/mixed-grit.