UW to Host National Print Conference Oct. 3

The 2018 Mid America Print Council (MAPC) conference is coming west. The biennial national symposium will be hosted by the University of Wyoming’s Department of Visual Arts Oct. 3-6 at the Visual Arts Building.

The conference will include exhibitions, panel discussions, demonstrations, interaction with vendors and professional contact with artists and scholars.

Highlights of the conference include Carla McGrath and Cole Rogers, co-founders of Highpoint Center for Printmaking, being recognized as this year’s “Outstanding Printmakers” and providing the keynote address Thursday, Oct. 4. Author Samuel Western will speak Friday, and a public reception will occur Wednesday.

In conjunction with the conference, the UW Art Museum will host several exhibitions including works from Highpoint Editions, prints from contemporary Native American artists and Japanese relief prints. Exhibitions also will be hosted throughout downtown Laramie and the Visual Arts Building, including the MAPC’s Juried Members’ Exhibition Oct. 1-26.

“As a national conference, this will be great to bring the world to Wyoming,” says Mark Ritchie, UW professor of printmaking. “We’re a place that people think to come for vacations, but coming here professionally is exciting. We get the chance to share what we do here at UW with other artists and educators. This also is an opportunity for Wyoming educators who might not be able to attend these types of conferences to visit us. It’s rare to have a national conference in your region.”

For more information about the conference, including how to register and a complete schedule, visit www.MAPC2018.org or email Ritchie at marrit@uwyo.edu.

A special registration rate will be offered to Wyoming artists and educators through the support of the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund. Email Jandey Shackelford at jshacke3@uwyo.edu to receive the special rate.