AMES, Iowa — The Iowa State University Print Society will host “New Beginnings: 20th Annual Postcard Print Exchange Exhibition and Silent Auction” Nov. 4–13 at the ISU College of Design.

The show will be on display from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday in Gallery 181 on the first floor of the Design building.

The exhibition will feature 79 different postcard prints from 16 US states and three other countries, including five from the Netherlands, one from South Korea and one from France.

The print exchange project began in late 2019 when printmakers from around the world were invited to send 13 original, identical, 4″x6″ prints to the University Print Society. The artists were invited to respond to this year’s theme, “New Beginnings,” in any way that they saw fit.

“In light of the events of 2020, the theme seems both apt and somewhat ironic,” said Raluca Iancu, faculty advisor to the print club.

Eligible methods included any editionable printmaking technique (woodcuts, litho, intaglio, relief, photography, silkscreen, digital printmaking, etc.) Prints were to be stamped and mailed separately as postcards, so they would bear the markings of travel and the postal service.

Every artist who submitted prints received 12 different prints from other artists in return (hence the “exchange”). The University Print Society kept one print from each artist for its own collection. These are the prints that will be on display as a part of the exhibition and available for bid in the silent auction. Additional postcards from past exchanges will be on view as well.

Silent Auction

All prints on display as a part of this exhibition will be for sale through a bidding process, which will be described in the gallery. This is a great opportunity to collect interesting pieces of art or to purchase unusual gifts for friends and family, and help a great cause. Proceeds will help fund student club activities, such as visiting artist lectures and supplies for print-related take-home activities for student members to engage in during the pandemic.

Bidding ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. Winners will be notified by e-mail and arrangements will be made for them to pick up the prints during the following weeks. Prints must be picked up no later than Wednesday, Nov. 25 (last day of fall semester).

Contacts

Raluca Iancu, Art and Visual Culture, riancu@iastate.edu
Heather Sauer, Design Communications, hsauer@iastate.edu

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