Our printmaking instructor Nikki Barber has been printing posters in her basement for protest rallies and marches. “I feel responsible to stand up for my friends who are Black and my friends who are Brown, since I white-pass so easily, but am not white.”
Nikki Barber, printmaking press
Nikki has been active in the social, political, and art in Seattle for years. She helped write this statement for racial justice with the Seattle Print Arts board. Any time there is a need for social justice or reform, Nikki thinks about this quote by 20th century American journalist A. J. Why: “Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.” (New Yorker, May 14, 1960, p. 109, paywall)
Nikki Barber, edition of posters
Nikki also named José Guadalupe Posada for his influence in shaping print arts for the people, by the people [There will be a V. Note about Posada tomorrow]. When asked about applying her print arts as activism for the people, Nikki said “I believe printmakers have an obligation to deliver information and agency to the people – especially to those who cannot access or give it to themselves.”
“Intersectionality is often overlooked when talking about racial and social justice. It should not be.” Nikki continued, “Black lives matter. Black trans lives and Black women’s lives fit into this as well. Women often get spoken over, looked over, or forgotten about, so I chose Breonna Taylor and Charleena Lyles to highlight their murders that happened before George Floyd’s. Breonna Taylor was 26 when she was murdered. Charleena Lyles was pregnant when she was shot in North Seattle two years ago.”
“I believe printmakers have an obligation to deliver information and agency to the people – especially to those who cannot access or give it to themselves.” – Nikki Barber, League Printmaking Instructor
A lot of people have been joining our Drawing A Day challenge. While most people prefer to keep their drawings private, a few brave and fabulous people have been posting their drawings to Facebook and Instagram, tagging them #seattleartleague and #drawingaday so we can all enjoy them. Below are few of my favorites posted by friends of the …
Happy New Year! Today is the first day of our #30SAL Challenge. Every day for the next 30 days I’ll post a creative challenge. These challenges won’t be your typical drawing challenges. Designed to foster a wide variety of creative skills, they are not restricted to any style or genre, and medium is artist’s choice. …
Print Arts and Activism
Portrait of Charleena Lyles
#saymyname
Our printmaking instructor Nikki Barber has been printing posters in her basement for protest rallies and marches. “I feel responsible to stand up for my friends who are Black and my friends who are Brown, since I white-pass so easily, but am not white.”
Nikki has been active in the social, political, and art in Seattle for years. She helped write this statement for racial justice with the Seattle Print Arts board. Any time there is a need for social justice or reform, Nikki thinks about this quote by 20th century American journalist A. J. Why: “Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.” (New Yorker, May 14, 1960, p. 109, paywall)
Nikki also named José Guadalupe Posada for his influence in shaping print arts for the people, by the people [There will be a V. Note about Posada tomorrow]. When asked about applying her print arts as activism for the people, Nikki said “I believe printmakers have an obligation to deliver information and agency to the people – especially to those who cannot access or give it to themselves.”
Say My Name
Portrait of Breonna Taylor
Portrait of Charleena Lyles
“Intersectionality is often overlooked when talking about racial and social justice. It should not be.” Nikki continued, “Black lives matter. Black trans lives and Black women’s lives fit into this as well. Women often get spoken over, looked over, or forgotten about, so I chose Breonna Taylor and Charleena Lyles to highlight their murders that happened before George Floyd’s. Breonna Taylor was 26 when she was murdered. Charleena Lyles was pregnant when she was shot in North Seattle two years ago.”
“I believe printmakers have an obligation to deliver information and agency to the people – especially to those who cannot access or give it to themselves.” – Nikki Barber, League Printmaking Instructor
Hey you.
Printmaking class starts June 16.
Learn anywhere. Make anywhere. League online classes.
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