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Prints & Artists: WD Printmaking Workshop 1970-Present

September 3-October 20, 2019
Curated by members of the WD Workshop
Presented by the Alper Initiative for Washington Art

George H. Smith-Shomari, Silver Bass Players, 2002.

George H. Smith-Shomari, Silver Bass Players, 2002. Mixed media, frame: 29 1/2 x 34 ½ in. Courtesy of the artist.

Percy Martin, Elephant Chasing Man, n.d.

Percy Martin, Elephant Chasing Man, n.d. Etching, paper: 21 7/8 x 27 in. WD Printmaking Workshop Historic Collection.

Joyce Wellman, A Spectrum, 1984.

Joyce Wellman, A Spectrum, 1984. Color viscosity etching, matted: 18 x 14 in. WD Printmaking Workshop Historic Collection.

Michael B. Platt (1948-2019), Untitled, n.d.

Michael B. Platt (1948-2019), Untitled, n.d. Etching, paper: 25 1/8 x 20 ¾ in. WD Printmaking Workshop Historic Collection.

Free Parking: WD Printmaking

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Early Fall Opening Reception
September 7, 2019, 6-9PM

Free Parking: WD Printmaking
September 26, 5:30-7:00PM

This exhibition traces the evolution of the DC-based WD Printmaking workshop, which began with Percy and Alice Martin’s opening their Adams Morgan home as a collaborative artists’ studio fifty years ago. The aim was to create a place where all artists (not necessarily trained in printmaking) could come together to explore the printmaking craft and create original prints. Emphasis was placed on experimentation and innovation. The studio was open to the artists twenty-four hours a day.

The workshop moved with Martin and his family into the basement of their home on Lamont Street in Mount Pleasant. Alice Martin recalls the time when the WD Workshop ran classes, presented demonstrations, and held regularly scheduled critique sessions. Artists were coming and going during all hours of the day and night. Participating WD artists achieved successful printmaking careers working in diverse styles. Featuring historical and recent work by members of the workshop.

Featuring historical and recent work by members of the workshop: Cabada, Frank Carmelitano, Allen “Big Al” Carter, Noche Crist, Jarvis Grant, Bill Harris, Winston Kennedy, Alice Marshall Martin, Mark Montgomery, Christopher Martin, Percy Martin, Michael B. Platt and Carol A. Beane, Richard Powell, Gail Shaw-Clemons, George H. Smith-Shomari, Dwight Tyler, Kofi Tyus, Victoria Saenz Vogl, Joyce Wellman, Duane Winfield, and Falaka Armide Yimer.