The Wiregrass Museum of Art and
TROY University, Dothan Campus

Present

Printology

March 14 – June 6, 2005

Printology is the first and founding project for Wycross Press in Auburn, Alabama.  It is comprised of ten separate folios, or groups, each containing an original print by two different artists.  To each folio, Conrad Ross, owner of Wycross Press, has added a colophon.  Traditionally, a “colophon” is printed as the last page of a book and only gives information about the paper, ink and typeface used.  Mr. Ross’ colophons add to such basic information by describing the national events that occurred during the printing.  The process of producing one edition of a print takes about three months.  As master printer for the project, Mr. Ross included historical information to give a sense of the amount of time spent on each folio.  This historical context sets the collection apart from others.

Conrad Ross, Professor Emeritus of Art at Auburn University, founded Wycross Press.  Mr. Ross was trained in printmaking at the University of Iowa.  He has teaching experience from several colleges and universities including Auburn University, the University of Georgia, the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Louisiana Polytechnic Institute.  Mr. Ross’ solo show, “Conrad Ross: The China Collés,” was exhibited in 1999 at the Montgomery Museum of Art.  He has had numerous other solo shows in such venues as the Hammond Hall Gallery at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, the Malone Gallery at Troy State University in Alabama, and at Auburn University in Montgomery. 

Printology began with Mr. Ross’ invitation to artists he met at the Southern Graphics Council.  Printmakers were selected to participate in the project, and the first edition was published in 1990.  The set of ten folios spans ten years, the last folio being published in 2000.  Printology represents not only national historical events, but also the growth of Wycross Press.  As each folio was conceived, more equipment was needed and obtained for the specialized printing processes.  The first folio was published before the shop type was finalized.  The silkscreen equipment was built for Dan Kiacz’s 28-color silkscreen of Frida Kahlo, titled “Diego’s Woman.”  As Wycross Press grew, so did the form of the folios.  Printology establishes Wycross as the only press in Alabama solely devoted to publishing “original” fine art prints.

This exhibit has been made possible by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

For more information please call 334-794-3871 and ask for Erin Schovel, ext 27.