2023 Laser-carved Mokuhanga Holiday Card Printing Workshop for Kids
At Whitman College 12/3
Lead by Benjamin Selby of Mokuhanga Project Space and hosted by Sheehan Gallery
In this two-hour workshop the kids used laser carved relief blocks to print their own original images by hand using traditional mokuhanga techniques. The enthusiasm and creativity displayed by the kids was truly amazing, leading to some excellent prints!
2023 Summer Foundry Vineyards Mokuhanga Print Workshop
At Foundry Vineyards 7/23
Lead by Benjamin Selby, Charles Marr, and Kayo Hirao of Mokuhanga Project Space
In this one-day workshop, led by Benjamin Selby, Charles Marr, and Kayo Hirao of Mokuhanga Project Space, participants learned to use traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques to create their very own multicolor prints. They learned to carve using Japanese style tools, apply pigments using specialized brushes, and print by hand using a traditional printing baren. In addition to learning about process and techniques, participants had the opportunity to see and discuss the works of various historic and contemporary artists. In conjunction with the workshop hosted in the Foundry Vineyards Gallery, was the show “Global Dimensions Mokuhanga Project Space Invitational” featuring artists Paul Furneaux, Jacqueline F Gribbin, Takuji Hamanaka, Keiko Hara, Kari Laitinen, Mike Lyon, Kate MacDonagh, Florence Neal, Yasuyuki Shibata and Katsutoshi Yuasa
2022 Mokuhanga Project Space Workshop
At Whitman College
Lead by Shōichi Kitamura
2019 Summer Advanced Mokuhanga Print Studio Program
At Whitman College 6/9-6/15
Lead by Ralph Kiggell, International Mokuhanga Artist
At this workshop participants had the opportunity to explore and develop advanced woodblock print techniques with artist and printmaker, Ralph Kiggell who studied with Yoshida Tsukasa, Kurosaki Akira, Fukita Fumiaki, and Kobayashi Keisei in Japan. At the time Kiggell-sensei was working from his studio in Bangkok and had taught and participated in various workshops, exhibitions, and conferences. He wrote: “I was drawn to woodblock print because it superbly represented the Japanese aesthetic in woodblock prints of the last 400 years and because there is something compelling about carving a design on one material and transferring it to another. Another important reason is that woodblock printing uses natural materials and is sensitive to the environment.”
2018 Mokuhanga Summer Workshop
At Whitman College 6/11-6/17
Lead by Tuula Moilanen, International Mokuhanga Artist from Finland
Tuula Moilanen from Finland was the instructor for this workshop. In conjunction with the workshop, her work was exhibited in Sheehan Gallery at Whitman College and the opening reception included a live demonstration.
2017 Summer Woodblock Print Studio Program
At Whitman College 7/30-8/5
Lead by Shōichi Kitamura, Master Carver from Kyoto Japan
Whitman College provided studio space for 10 woodblock print artists to work on projects in the Olin East Tea Room wing in the summer of 2017. Participants include four Walla Walla artists, two artists from New York, and artists from Italy, Minnesota, San Diego, and Seattle. As they worked on their projects, they also watched and learned different Japanese woodblock print carving techniques from Shōichi Kitamura, a master woodblock print carver from Kyoto, Japan. In conjunction with this program, the Foundry Vineyards Gallery exhibited "Recent Works in Painting, Print, and Glass by Keiko Hara."
2016 Walla Walla Mokuhanga Art Center’s Summer Mokuhanga Workshop
At Whitman College 7/26-7/1
Lead by Yasuyuki Shibata, Master Printer at Pace Prints
This one week workshop, held on the Whitman College campus featured Yasuyuki Shibata, who is a Master Printer at Pace Prints in New York and an instructor at The Cooper Union. In addition to lectures and demonstrations of Japanese woodblock print techniques, participants under the guidance of Shibata sensei worked to design, carve, and print their own prints.
2014 Hiroki Morinoue Ukiyo-e Workshop
At Whitman College 4/4 - 4/6
Lead by Hiroki Morinoue of Studio 7 Gallery, Holualoa, Hawaii
2014 Karen Kunc Workshop
A Whitman College 2/22- 2/23
Lead by Karen Kunc
1994 Tadashi Toda and James Lavadour Collaborative Workshop
At Whitman College 4/4-4/7
Lead by Master Printer Tadashi Toda and founder of Crow’s Shadow James Lavadour
In this workshop Tadashi Toda, Master Printmaker from Kyoto, Japan, gave a demonstration of ukiyo-e (traditional Japanese water-based printmaking) techniques. Mr. Toda had printed the work of many major contributors to contemporary art including Frankenthaler, Clemente, Steir, Close, Thiebaud, Katz, and Salle. He was joined by James Lavadour, a prominent painter from Confederated Tribes Umatilla Indian Reservation and founder of Crow's Shadow, a non-profit art facility for Native American artists. He was also the recipient of the 1994 Oregon State Governor's Award for the Arts. Mr. Toda and Mr. Lavadour collaborated in this intensive three-day workshop. This collaboration was a multidimensional learning experience for Art Department printmaking students as well as other Whitman students. During the workshop they were exposed to a professional level of work, observing the artist's creativity and the printer's highly accomplished craftsmanship working together to create what one alone could not accomplish. Through this direct observation the students gained many valuable tools to utilize in their own work. With the assistance of Mr. Toda, the printmaking students then collaborated amongst themselves in artist/master-printer partnerships and work to achieve specific skills and artistic capabilities in the printmaking art form. During the collaborative printmaking workshop, several recent graduates of Whitman's Art program returned to campus to assist Mr. Toda and Mr. Lavadour and interact with art students. This interaction added yet another level to the learning process, as alumni, working to develop their careers, provide insights and answers to students curious about "life after Whitman." And the alumni themselves were, in turn, able to continue their own learning process by participating in this workshop. Mr. Toda also introduced students in the Asian Studies program to the Japanese aesthetic. As Ukiyo-e printing is a traditional Japanese art form, having an opportunity to observe the process first-hand was a valuable addition to their education.
