Black Orchid, 1986
Silkscreen Print, Edition, 1/88
LA Prints: Self Help Graphics Ateliér Program
at Transamerica Center Gallery
1150 South Olive Street, Los Angeles
May 12—July 3, 1986
Artists included: Dan Anton, Sister Karen Boccalero, Yreina Cervantez, Sam Costa, Florencio Flores, Armando Norte, Michael Ponce, Dan Segura, Marisa Zains, Mari Cardenas, Diane Gamboa, Miles Hamada, Steve Leal, Leo Limon, Jesus Perez, Barbara Carrasco, Robert Delgado, Richard Duardo, Eduardo Oropeza, Lorraine Garcia, Willie Herron, Raplh Maradiaga, Eloy Torrez, Linda Vallejo, Dolores Cruz, Alonzo Davis, Peter Sparrow, John Valadez, Alfredo DeBatuc, Dolores Guerrero-Cruz, Liz Rodriguez, Matthew Thomas, Bob Zoell, Glenna Boltuch, Qathryn Brehm, Margaret Garcia, Alberto Castro Lenero, Jose Castro Lenero, Gilbert Lujan (Magu), Frank Romero.
Sister Karen Boccalero, Director
Self-Help Graphics and Art
The Experimental Screenprint Atelier Program at Self-Help Graphics has grown out of a desire by artists of this community to create work in the medium of limited edition serigraphy. Usually, only those artists with considerable financial backing can afford the traditional practice of hiring a master printer and shop to produce an edition of their work. It was to address this and other problems that the Atelier program was worked out in extended discussions and experiments through the fall and winter of 1982.
It was agreed that the Atelier program could change that equation by a simple format: invite artists, provide the master printer and silk-screen studio, and most importantly, provide a non-competitive atmosphere in which artists of extremely varied backgrounds, styles, and aesthetics could gain from each other’s diversity. In order to emphasize this collective nature of the Ateliers, the artists have taken part in group meetings in which various works-in-progress are presented and discussed. These discussions take place with the master printer present so that creative ideas can be played out against the technical standards that have to be maintained in the actual production of the edition. What has resulted to date are 60 archival quality limited edition prints by 42 artists.
The Self-Help Graphics Atelier experience has been that of the artists themselves within the rich cultural milieu of East Los Angeles. We have seen careers progress, innovative techniques explored, ideas generated, and chances taken. What the artists of this community can gain in the future from the Atelier program is Self-Help’s goal: continue the silk-screen program and expand it and the facilities to include intaglio, lithography, wood block, and monotype printmaking.
The degree to which the Atelier program has succeeded in providing a unique and valuable opportunity for artists can best be determined by speaking with them. The degree to which it has succeeded in presenting significant, technically accomplished images, an examination of the work itself will show. But the degree to which the program can continue and expand will ultimately be determined by the community itself.
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