JTwo typographic artists will visit the Ashantilly Centre, 1712 Bond Road, Darien, as part of their Summer of Mobile Moveable Type cross-country project.
Sarah Budeski and Rosemary Middlebrook will be setting up their mobile studio from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday for a free event to demonstrate their printing process and display the work they’ve created so far on their journey .
Budeski said she has enjoyed typography work since she was young. She appreciates that it combines her passion for the work of her hands with her goal of studying graphic design.
“Printing, in general, has been of interest to me for a very long time, just in terms of creating things with your hands and creating multiples, something that isn’t necessarily singularly unique but can be shared in the multiple with many people,” she said. noted.
Letterpress printing requires a printing press. The process allows the production of many copies by repeated impressions of a raised surface against sheets or rolls of paper.
Both guest artists are recent graduates of Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. During their studies, they went on a three-month study trip to Italy during which they visited Tipoteca, a famous museum of typography and working archives in northern Italy.
They both said the trip heightened their interest in the art of typography and have since launched their own LLC, RS Kissler Press.
They have now taken their business on the road, traveling across the country during the summer to share their art.
Budeski added that traveling to different places had never been before turned out to be the best part of the experience.
They were able to meet many artists within their industry and enjoyed the sights of each city and the food, she said. All of these experiences contribute to the art that takes shape on their postcards.
“Traveling to different places we’ve both never been and meeting people from the industry, but also everyday people we meet along the way,” she said. “One of the biggest things I’ve missed this past year with COVID is meeting new people. I’ve been so grateful to get to know so many new people, printers and non-printers, who inspire our postcards.
Middlebrook said she is happy to do work that can be considered non-traditional. She loves the travel project because it allows her to share her work while exposing it to many new places.
“When people come into an industry, they think they have to do the job in the traditional way, like going to the office or going to the studio. But I think it’s cool to show people that you can be creative with your way of working,” Middlebrook said.
Budeski thinks it’s important for her and Middlebrook, as young artists, to create work in a variety of places with many different people.
“I think it’s really important to walk into different print shops and see how others work and organize their operations,” she said. “If we can get insight into how they work, it can ultimately affect the work we can share with others.”
Both artists expressed their enthusiasm for visiting the Ashantilly Center to share their works and show visitors their typography process.
They said they encouraged attendees to get involved and ask questions. To learn more about the event, visit www.ashantillycenter.org.