01/24/17

AMES, Iowa — Mary Jones, a professor of art and design at Grand View University in Des Moines, will present a public lecture and lead a printmaking workshop Feb. 15-17 at the Iowa State University College of Design.

Jones will explore how interacting with your environment can unlock creative potential in “Ramble: Walking and Visual Journaling” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, in Kocimski Auditorium, room 0101 Design.

In her lecture, Jones will discuss how “walking well-trodden paths is like remembering in layers, and how this process of remembering is similar to the layers in her prints,” said AJ Zandt, co-president of the University Print Society. She will draw connections between making art and walking as processes both generative and soothing, and share her research into “flânerie” — aimless, idle behavior — and “deep mapping,” or intensive topological exploration.

Following the presentation, audience members are invited to join Jones at the front of the auditorium to view and discuss a selection of her prints.

Demonstrations and Workshop

During her visit, Jones also will offer demonstrations and a drop-in workshop focused on photo-based intaglio printmaking. From 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, she will demonstrate Photoshop document preparation, exposure and development of plates and printing.

From 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, she will demonstrate the use of InkAID film to transfer ink-jet imagery to the prints. On Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 17, participants will be able to make their own prints. Assistance will be provided to anyone who was unable to attend the Wednesday demonstration. Those who assist in printing Jones’ prints will receive a print.

The demonstrations and workshop will take place in the printmaking studio, room 0011 Design. As space is limited, those interested in participating should contact Zandt, ajzandt@iastate.edu.

About the Speaker

At Grand View University, Jones teaches a variety of courses including graphic design, printmaking, bookbinding and typography. She works with students in both fine art and graphic design and enjoys “helping them make connections between the two areas.” Prior to teaching, Jones was a designer and illustrator with work published by the Chicago Tribune, Playboy Magazine and the Philadelphia Enquirer, among others

As a printmaker Jones constructs images of city streets out of mixed media like photos, drawings, words and found images. She also makes larger installed works and artists’ books. Her work is in the Linda Lee Alter Collection of Women in the Arts at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia as well as the State Museum of Illinois in both Chicago and Springfield. She has been an artist-in-residence at the Ragdale Foundation and at Anchor Graphics in Chicago. She recently has pursued collaborative projects with other printmakers and book artists.

Co-sponsored by the Department of Art and Visual Culture, College of Design, University Print Society and ISU Committee on Lectures (funded by the Government of the Student Body), her lecture, demonstrations and workshop are free and open to the public.

Contacts

Mary Jones, Grand View University, Art and Design, mjones@grandview.edu
AJ Zandt, University Print Society, (262) 352-7497, ajzandt@iastate.edu
April Katz, Art and Visual Culture (Printmaking), (515) 294-3363, akatz@iastate.edu
Paige Adams, Design Communications, psadams@iastate.edu
Heather Sauer, Design Communications, (515) 294-9289, hsauer@iastate.edu

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