King Library Press Spring Seminar

The annual King Library Press spring seminar was held on March 7 and 8, 2014.  The guest presenter this year was Kathleen Walkup, Professor of Book Art and Director of the Book Art Program at Mills College in Oakland, CA.   On Friday evening March 7, Prof. Walkup gave a lecture entitled, “Because Nobody Stopped Us:  Women printers at mid-century.”  The title was inspired by Carolyn Hammer’s remarks about the group of women who printed on their lunch hours at the High Noon Press in King Library in the early 1950’s.   Walkup gave a lively presentation that touched on women in printing throughout history, from 15^th century to modern day.  About 35 people attended the program.

On Saturday morning, Prof. Walkup led a workshop entitled, “A Day of Improv at the King Library Press.”  A class of ten eager printers ranging from beginners to advanced students enjoyed experimenting with a variety of techniques including printing using a collograph which was then overprinted with type set in a circular pattern.  Each participant printed two broadsides, one of which was a keepsake designed and printed by the group.