2020 Social Justice Printmaking Teacher Workshop

On Saturday, February 8, teacher artist Alex Huttinger led the 2nd annual Social Justice Printmaking Workshop, hosted by D.C. Area Educators for Social Jusitce at Halcyon Arts Lab for the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action.

Huttinger began by sharing elementary and middle school projects, where each student made a print inspired by common theme or poem.

The group then read aloud "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes. Then each person selected a word or phrase, wrote it on a card, decorated it with tissue paper.

Huttinger shared the artwork of Elizabeth Catlett and Sister Corita Kent as inspiration — for the bold designs, beauty, power, and social justice messages.

Participants then drew their own designs, with content inspired by the Langston Hughes poem and style by artists above. Alex showed everyone how to carve (carefully) on the linoleum squares.

The linoleum was inked, the paper applied, and beautiful prints revealed.

Want to learn more? See the description and photos below from Alex Huttinger's 2019 teacher workshop and her 2019 workshop with Jefferson Middle School students.