Autumn Kids Camp: Printmaking

Kids have the week off but parents do not? Send them to Verge to learn all about printmaking and make some gifts for the holidays!

Day 1: Book Making
With bookmaker and creative writer Nikki Thompson kids will make pamphlet books in a few different stitching and folding styles. They will keep their books and will be able to use them as sketchbooks for the rest of the week of camp.

Day 2: Cyanotype and Risograph Printing 
Aida Lizalde will reach the kids about the cyanotype process a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. Engineers used the process well into the 20th century as a simple process to produce copies of drawings, referred to as blueprints. The process uses two chemicals that are applied to paper or fabric and then exposed to natural sunlight. For the second half of the day kids will learn about Risograph Printing, a printing process that works in layers, much like screen printing, but with natural inks. They will be able to make their own posters or zines with the riso printer.

Day 3: Soft Plate Relief Printing 
In this class, being taught by Jazel Muñoz, kids will learn the basics of Relief Printmaking by exploring both soft plate, and block printing. They will develop images to make their very own stamps, and create a series of vibrant prints on paper. They will experiment with ways of mixing colorful inks, blend rolls, negative space, texture, and pattern. And gain the skills to safely, and comfortably use a linoleum carving tool.

Note: In some of these classes sharp tools will be used, so kids will be given a talk and demo on safety and they will create a community contract in which they commit to handling materials safely and respecting each other. Dress for a mess! Inks and paints used this week and will stain clothes (and shoes).