Maude Kerns Art Center to Acquire WhitPrint

Yes, you read that right — WhitPrint is merging with Maude Kerns Art Center! We’ll be partnering with the Art Center during 2024 to create a smooth transition and complete the acquisition at the end of the year.

Job Opening

Our partnership begins with the search for a Printmaking Studio Coordinator. This is a part-time position, working onsite at WhitPrint and reporting to the Maude Kerns Art Center’s Director of Arts Education. Interested? If so, send a cover letter along with your resume and three professional references to staff@mkartcenter.org.

Acquisition Announcement

From the Maude Kerns Art Center’s February 2024 Newsletter:

 

Maude Kerns Art Center and Whiteaker Printmakers (WhitPrint) are excited to announce the Art Center’s upcoming acquisition of the nonprofit printmaking studio. The organizations will be partnering to ensure a smooth transition of studio management and operations to the Art Center’s Education Program.

Whiteaker Printmakers is a member-supported community printmaking studio in the historic Cox Cannery in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood. Started in 2015 by Heather and Paul Halpern, WhitPrint has become one of the leading printmaking collectives in Oregon and the region. It offers local artists access to studio space and equipment, opportunities in education and exhibitions, and participation in events such as the Emerald Print Exchange and Big Ink. “Maude Kerns Art Center is exactly the kind of organization we'd hoped would step up to assure WhitPrint's continuity,” says Heather. “We are thrilled to be allied with them.”

 “It is an incredible opportunity for the Art Center,” says the Art Center’s Executive Director Michael Fisher. He adds, “We are so honored and thrilled to continue and expand on the amazing work and legacy Whiteaker Printmakers has created.” Founded in 1950, The Maude Kerns Art Center is a nonprofit community center dedicated to the visual arts. Its mission is to promote and advocate for the creation and appreciation of the visual arts by offering a wide variety of education and exhibition programs for all ages, studio space for artists, and support for community artists.

In 2024, WhitPrint will continue to run the studio space and programs, working with the Art Center to train and familiarize staff with the facility and operations in order to “pass the baton” at the start of 2025.

FAB and WhitPrint Go Out On A Limb

Fine Arts Brigade and Whiteaker Printmakers are partnering with Tim Boyden's Out On A Limb Gallery in downtown Eugene to add another exhibit space for fine arts.  FAB is now sponsoring a large portion of OOAL's south wall to display a monthly rotation of prints, paintings, photography, and other art forms.  WhitPrint will also be using a portion of the wall to extend their own gallery exhibits from their studio location into the downtown area.

The opening exhibit for the month of September is a selection of works by WhitPrint studio members. The exhibit includes two pieces by local painter Robert Canaga, shown in conjunction with his Smaller Works at the Whiteaker Printmakers studio gallery though October 11.

Each month will bring a new display, ready to view before the First Friday Art Walk.

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Call for printmakers: Emerald Print Exchange

Print Arts Northwest and Whiteaker Printmakers are excited to announce the Emerald Print Exchange! All fine art printmakers residing in the U.S. are eligible, but participation is limited to 200, so enroll soon. Our mission with this project is to engage with printmakers near and far, to exhibit new works in Portland and Eugene, and to raise funds in support of our non-profit organizations. To enroll or get more details, visit the Emerald Print Exchange page. Deadline to enroll: May 1, 2018.

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Call for printmakers: BIG INK is back!

BIG INK brings its large woodcut revolution back to Whiteaker Printmakers for two days of printing, Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22, 2018. Selected artists will work together with BIG INK's Lyell and Carand to pull prints on WhitPrint's massive Trayle press.  Artists are invited to submit a proposal before May 14, 2018 to participate in the event.

WhitPrint is one of nine printmaking venues on BIG INK's 2018 cross-country tour, and was last visited by BIG INK two years ago. Check out BIG INK's pics and video of the 2016 event.

Whiteaker Printmakers Goes Non-Profit

Whiteaker Printmakers is now a project of Fine Arts Brigade, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As Executive Director, Heather Halpern still takes excellent care of the studio, members, and programs. Paul Halpern and Laura Wingerd continue to perform magic behind the scenes. We look forward to including volunteers in future activities! We welcome donations to help us keep providing workspace and specialized equipment to artists, and to keep bringing important events to the community. Our non-profit status also allows us to apply for grants, which will help fund exciting activities — stay tuned for news. We appreciate the continued support and participation!