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RELEASE

COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC PRESENTS EXHIBIT OF PRINTS

Collected Prints: A Selection of Works on Paper from the Collection of Catherine Clinger opens at Blum
CONTACT: Donna Gold, Public Relations: 207-801-5623, 207-266-4470, dgold@coa.edu

BAR HARBOR, ME—Woodcuts, engravings, etchings, silkscreens, and lithographs from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries will be on view at College of the Atlantic’s Ethel H. Blum Gallery. The exhibit, Collected Prints: A Selection of Works on Paper from the Collection of Catherine Clinger, includes a wide range of work and subjects. It runs from Feb. 12 through Mar. 1, with an opening on Friday, Feb. 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and a gallery talk on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 4:10 p.m. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

The exhibit is an eclectic mix, says Clinger, COA’s Allan Stone Chair in the Visual Arts. “Really, what the pieces have in common is the fact that they are composed of ink on paper.” The prints hail from Europe, Asia, and the United States. They include a piece by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, an eighteenth century Italian artist known for his etchings of Rome, several hand-printed books—among them a version of Lucretius’ “On the Nature of Things,” with wood engravings by early twentieth century artist Paul Landacret, a print by Kathe Kollwitz, as well as more contemporary work by Kiki Smith and John Talleur, Clinger’s mentor. The sixteenth century works are two small images of musicians by Jacques Callot, an artist who, says Clinger, ran off to live with gypsies—not once, but twice in his boyhood years. His parents had to send an older brother to retrieve him.

Clinger came by her prints in various ways. Once, she was in Dublin admiring what she called “an exquisite mezzotint” that a rather well-heeled couple was considering—but hesitantly. Clinger’s enthusiasm so clearly sealed the deal for the dealer that he turned to her and said, “OK Lassie, is there a print you have an eye on?” And yes, there was. And yes, she did receive the print.

While serious are viewers certainly will appreciation the exhibit, Clinger says her main aim is to engage students in prints and printmaking. She hopes to whet the community’s appetite for prints and printmaking. Come fall, COA will have its own printing press, and students will be able to create their own etchings beginning in 2014.

For more information about the exhibit, running from Feb. 12 to Mar. 1, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the opening at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 15, or the talk at 4:10 p.m. on Feb. 21, contact the college at 207-288-5015, or Clinger at cclinger@coa.edu.

College of the Atlantic was founded in 1969 on the premise that education should go beyond understanding the world as it is, to enabling students to actively shape its future. A leader in experiential education and environmental stewardship, COA has pioneered a distinctive interdisciplinary approach to learning—human ecology—that develops the kinds of creative thinkers and doers needed by all sectors of society in addressing the compelling and growing needs of our world. For more, visit www.coa.edu.

CALENDAR ITEM:

Feb. 12 – Mar. 1: Collected Prints: A Selection of Works on Paper from the collection of Catherine Clinger, College of the Atlantic’s Allan Stone Chair in the Visual Arts. Woodcuts, engravings, etchings, and lithographs from the 16^th to the 21^st centuries. Opening reception Friday, Feb. 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Ethel H. Blum Gallery at College of the Atlantic. Gallery hours: 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. 105 Eden St., Bar Harbor, ME. 207-288-5015, cclinger@coa.edu. www.coa.edu.