New Photogravures, Printshop Kickstarter, and more!

Hello friends,

I have exciting art updates and news that may interest you this hot july -

Two projects that are the most dear to my heart are outlined below, please take a peek:

The New Orleans Community Printshop

KICKSTARTER VIDEO

As many of you know, in 2009 i moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, to start a community printshop in an under-utlized arts organization called Louisiana Artworks, little knowing what an amazing group of teachers, printers and supporters I would find. I was joined by Vanessa Adams and Rachel Speck at the very first meeting, and we haven't looked back since. Three years, and three locations later, we have changed some: with 13 dues-paying core members- including Pippin Frisbie Calder, my old partner-in-crime from RISD, we are now our own non-profit: an all volunteer co-op with no one director or manager, open to the public 3 days a week. And  - now we are moving to a permanent home. 

We are doing a kickstarter fundraising campaign to pay for the buildout of the new space, and I am delighted to report that it is going very well - 11 days in and over 60% funded! We have 19 days to raise the rest, please check out the site and see our video and what we do here. If you can contribute, it is greatly appreciated, if you can't but want to support, just spread the word. 

Because the printshop allows artists to be self-supporting, and teaches anyone who walks in the door, artists have come to rely on the printshop to make their work and in turn they work very hard to keep it going. I believe with all my heart that every city needs a community printshop. (and if you want tips for starting one, check out our website..)

The Market Street Power Station - a photogravure and research project

Most of you know I am obsessed with this huge beautiful brick building on the mississippi that once provided all of the electricity for the city of New Orleans. I have been taking pictures of it for the past 3 years (most recently thanks to a very special colleague) and turning the best into photogravures. Three of these, including two of the following new prints, are in a show at the Homespace gallery, 
I am really excited that Cara Bayles (old high school friend and amazing newspaper reporter) is joining me on the research project - we are compiling a portrait of the life of the building: not only as the Market Street Power Station  as owned and operated by New Orleans Railways and Light Company, Street Railway Company, New Orleans Public Service inc, and Entergy, but also as the physical brick building that has dominated the skyline of the lower garden district ever since it's doors closed. What role has the abandoned plant played in the last 35 years? How is it remembered by the people who worked there? We are conducting interviews, poring over microfilm and delving into insurance maps to produce a timeline/booklet and an interactive gallery show, (think 3-d images, listening stations, climbable components....)

In the works still is the goal to collaborate with the current owners to open the building to the public for one day and transform our research into a walking tour.....We are in negotiations, I will keep you all posted!

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Meg Turner
www.megjturner.com