SOUTHWEST PRINT FIESTA

SOUTHWEST PRINT FIESTA

Various venues, Silver City

October 10-13

A Celebration of Printmaking

The Southwest Print Fiesta is unlike any other event. Nowhere else will you see a steamroller roll over paper to create massive prints. Since its start in 2016, this Silver City favorite has grown into a weekend-long celebration of all things print, offering workshops, gallery exhibitions, and a vibrant marketplace.

Last year, hundreds of visitors came from across the region, including Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. According to organizer Kyle Durrie, proprietress of Power & Light Press, many events will once again take place at her Silver City printmaking and retail shop. Meanwhile, the Saturday outdoor Printers’ Market on Main Street Plaza will showcase about 40 vendors. Shoppers can find everything from $5 greeting cards and stickers to screen-printed t-shirts, hand-carved block prints, and even lithographs worth thousands. “That’s the beauty of printing—it’s very accessible,” Durrie says. “People can build a collection at a festival like this.”

This year’s opening night begins at the historic Silco Theater with a presentation on the history of film and its connection to print. Afterward, Massachusetts artist Anna Hepler will lead free community workshops, and participants’ prints will go up on public walls throughout the weekend. In addition, visiting Los Angeles artist Daniel Gonzalez will teach linoleum carving and typography while also leading community projects. Both Hepler and Gonzalez will give talks on Sunday evening, offering deeper insight into their work.

Of course, the crowd favorite remains the steamroller printing demonstration. Four artists will carve 3×3-foot linoleum blocks and then print them live outdoors. First, they roll on the ink. Next, paper is laid on top. Finally, a steamroller presses everything into a bold, finished design. “It’s loud, dirty, and really fun to watch,” says Durrie. “Each print takes time, but the results are worth it.” At the end, the artist keeps one print and the original block, the Fiesta keeps one for the archives, and a third is sold to raise funds for future events.

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