Power of Print

curated by New Impressions Print Studio

“Prints are the most democratic form of art.” — Andy Warhol

About the exhibit– Viva la Revolution!
Welcome to the Inside-Out Gallery’s ArtBeat-themed exhibit curated by New Impressions Print Studio in East Somerville. This showcase features linoleum relief prints by 64 artists from our local community. Each creator was given the prompt: respond to the ArtBeat theme of “REVolution.” Working quickly under tight time constraints, the artists received their blocks in early June, transforming urgent ideas into physical form. For some, this project marks their introduction to relief printing; for others, it represents the largest and most ambitious piece they have ever carved.

Printmaking is uniquely suited to the language of revolution. Historically, the medium has functioned as a primary engine for societal change. In early modern Europe, prints were not merely decorative; they were vital technological instruments used to advance scientific inquiry, map discovery, and distribute information, serving as the world’s first true mass media.

The art of printing is a revolutionary practice and in a truer sense, the art of the people. The invention of the printing press transformed how information was shared, distributed, and consumed. It allowed for freedom of expression for people from all walks of life–not just for the elite few.

To fully understand the works in this exhibition, one must look closely at the material itself. Linoleum—originally invented in the 19th century as a durable floor covering made from solidified linseed oil, pine resin, and cork dust, it soon became an unexpected radical weapon in the art world because it was cheap and easy to find. This inherent accessibility makes relief printing a deeply democratic art form. A print is fundamentally born from physical confrontation—the high-pressure contact between an inked surface and paper. This physical compression mirrors the friction of a political uprising: diverse forces colliding to leave a permanent mark on history. Because the matrix allows for infinite reproducibility, the print inherently defies the elitism of the singular museum masterpiece. Prints belong on the streets; they are rapid, egalitarian tools capable of broadcasting dissent, spreading hope, and inspiring collective action.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
Al St Peter, Allison Reilly, Andrea Gould, Andrew Stearns, Annie Silverman, Arianne Herter, Ariel Maiorano, Avanji Vaze, Bethany Ericson, C. Teeny Huang, Cami GP, Carolyn Muskat, Chase Harrison, Chris Dewart, Courtney Licata, Daniel Glaser, Darci Hanna, Debra Olin, Dell Hamilton, Draven Neil, Eli Quinn, Elisabeth Schainker, Elliot Mancuso, Emily Grandstaff-Rice, Erin Graves, Freddy Thomas, Gilead Tadmor, Grant Welham, Gustavo Barceloni, James Herbst, Jennifer Hughes, Jilliane Mortimer, Jo Ann Rothschild, Joanne Simon, Joe Causey, Julie Klump, Kurt Werner, Laura Safar, Lilla Szekely, Liticia Avery, Lizzie Rutberg, Lourdes German, Marcus Payzant, Margret Lambert, Meg Wiechnik, Melissa Kagen, Mia “Chrome” Roman, Nicole Stone, Owen Thomas, Pamela Shanley, Patricia Martini Daly, Ruchika Madan, Sarah Dewart, Shannon Johnson, Stef Caplen, Susan Rice, Susanna Bishop, Tara Stearns, Taylor True, Tyler Whitaker, Valerie Cervantes

About New Impression Print Studio

New Impressions Print Studio is a supportive artistic community that provides space and specialized equipment for artists working in the medium of printmaking. They provide shared studio space where artists can pursue their craft, build community, and educate the public about printmaking. If these radical impressions inspire you to carve out your own vision, don’t put it off or keep the idea to yourself. New Impressions Print Studio offers community workshops, expert instruction, and public access to professional presses to help you get started. To learn more, go to newimpressionsprintstudio.com

About the Inside-Out Gallery Initiated in 2009, The Inside-Out Gallery is located in the CVS Window in Davis Square, a unique space that allows the public to view an eclectic array of works from artists and local organizations each month. The mission of the Somerville Arts & Culture is to cultivate and celebrate the creative expressions of the Somerville community. Through innovative collaborations and quality programming we work to make the arts an integral part of life reflective of our diverse city