Malaspina Printmakers Society

Malaspina Printmakers Society is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art of printmaking. Founded in April 1975 by a group of printmaking students and a post-graduate fellow from the Vancouver School of Art, the society aims to facilitate communication among artist-printmakers, provide access to fully equipped studios, and increase public awareness and interest in fine arts and printmaking[4][5].

History

Malaspina Printmakers was established by a group of artists that included Deborah Koenker, Chris Brady, Renée Van Halm, Michael Jolliffe, Monique Fouquet, Robert Evermon, and Gary Bowden[5]. The first board of directors consisted of Robert Evermon, Gary Bowden, Ruth Booth, Werner True, Renée Van Halm, and Michael Jolliffe[5].

Objectives

The society's primary objectives are to coordinate and initiate activities related to the execution and exhibition of original prints, enhance communication among printmaking artists, offer access to well-equipped studios, and increase public understanding of printmaking[3][5].

Status

Malaspina Printmakers is a provincially incorporated society and a registered Canadian charity[4]. It operates on a sliding scale membership model to ensure accessible and equitable studio access for artists[1].

Archives

The Malaspina print archives are distributed among several institutions. The Burnaby Art Gallery holds archives from 1975 to 1981, while Simon Fraser University Library houses archives from 1982 to 1988. The remaining archives are retained by the Malaspina Printmakers Society itself[5].

Activities

The organization engages in various activities to promote printmaking, including workshops and the sale of original prints by local artists[2]. This not only fosters a sense of community among printmakers but also contributes to the broader appreciation of contemporary art.