News

Upcoming Wood Engraving Workshops

 

I will be teaching a week-long wood engraving workshop in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State June 16 - 22, 2024. By day, workshop participants will be guided through the entire process from transferring an image, to engraving, to printing small editions. Participants will learn about types of wood used for engraving, care and sharpening of tools, safe use of printing equipment, ink mixing, and types of paper. Printing by hand as well as on a Vandercook proof press will be covered. By night, you can continue to work in the studio, or enjoy a drink and build a fire by the lake. No previous engraving or printing experience is necessary, but patience, good eyesight, and a steady hand are very helpful. For more information, and to register visit: https://arts.wells.edu/event/book-arts-summer-institute-2024/

 

If you're unable to travel to the FInger Lakes this June, perhaps you will be able to join me at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina in July, where my good friend and colleague, the masterful Joanne Price of Starpointe Studio, will be teaching a week-long workshop, and I will be acting as her humble assistant. For more information and to register visit: https://folkschool.configio.com/pd/2193/wood-engraving-historic-letterpr...

 

Where to See My Work This Spring

 

The Print Center will be featuring some of my prints along with many other this Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Philadelphia Print Fair from 10am to 3pm in Solmson Court, The University of the Arts. Admission is free!

 

My recent wood engraving titled, The Widow (Self-portrait) has been accepted into the Wood Engravers' Networks' fifth traveling triennial exhibition. The first location of the exhibition will be the galleries at Stockton University, and it will be on view in early June, 2024.

 

My newly editioned reduction woodcut titled, Spirit Orbs / Ball Lightning will be on exhibition this month at Southern Graphics Council International’s Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. In addition to that, one impression from the edition will become part of Zuckerman Museum of Art’s permanent collection in Atlanta, Georgia, and one will become part of the permanent collection at Florida Golf Coast University in Ft. Meyers, Florida

 

I was been commissioned by Princeton University Museum of Art to write copy for wall signage that annotating their new display of an original Albrecht Dürer woodblock along with original Dürer woodblock prints. What an honor!

Fall/Winter Exhibitions and Workshops 2019
Rebecca_Gilbert_Wood_Engraving

EXHIBITIONS – CURRENT
 
New Again – Small Works at C. R. Ettinger Studio and Gallery
 
At least twenty of my wood engravings are included in an exhibition of small works entitled New Again Cindi Ettinger Studio. This includes several new pieces that are being exhibited for the first time. There will be an open house Saturday, November 16th 1:00-5:00 P. M. The show continues until December 21st.
 
The six artists featured are Joan Curran, David Fertig, Rebecca Gilbert, Jim  McElhinney, Sarah McEneaney and Bill Scott. All of the works in the gallery will be available.
 
C.R. Ettinger Studio Gallery features exhibitions of prints and printmaking related works. The gallery has irregular hours (usually open from noon till 6:00 Monday through Friday), but always best to contact before visiting. Also open by appointment 7 days a week. 
               

 C.R. Ettinger Studio 2215 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19146 
crettingerstudio@gmail.com
610-585-4084
 
 
Manhattan Graphics Center - 4th New York International Miniature Print Exhibition
 
I have two wood engravings in a biennial juried exhibition at Manhattan Graphics Center. The exhibition is on view November 1 – 30, 2019.
 
With its biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition, MGC celebrates the astounding feats of visual magic that artists can achieve in a diminutive space. This year, 210 works by 119 artists will be on view, selected from a total of 426 original entries. The artists represent 21 countries from around the world, including the USA, Canada, England, Ireland, France, Russia and New Zealand, among others. Within the USA, 24 states are represented. The works span a dazzling array of techniques and subject matter.
 
Manhattan Graphics Center 250 West 40 Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 10018
212-219-8783
 
Wood Engravers’ Network - Third Triennial Traveling Exhibition
 
I have two wood engravings in this traveling exhibition that is currently installed at The Arts Center of St. Peter in St. Peter, Minnesota.
 
The exhibition opened Saturday November 9th. The Arts Center of Saint Peter is the final stop for the Wood Engravers’ Network Third Triennial, a traveling exhibition featuring 64 wood engravings by 37 different artists from the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Belgium.

This exhibition has been travelling the US for the past three years. A few of the other venues in the exhibition tour included Hamilton Wood Type Museum, Two Rivers Wisconsin; The Printing Museum, Haverhill, Massachusetts; Asheville Book Works, Asheville, NC; University or Oregon, Eugene, OR; Stockton University Art Gallery, Galloway, NJ; Noyes Museum of Art, Hammonton, NJ

This is the last stop for the Third Triennial Exhibition where it will be on display until December 29th.
 

Arts Center of St. Peter 315 South Minnesota Avenue Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 931-3630
 
 
 
EXHIBITIONS AND SALES – UPCOMING
 
POP!  - THE PRINT CENTER BENEFIT AUCTION!
 
I’ve donated a small series of wood engravings to The Print Center’s Annual Benefit Auction. They are individually framed and will be sold as a single lot. This is your chance to add to your collection while supporting one of my favorite non-profits in the city of Philadelphia. Bidding begins at Paddle8 November 23rd and the live event will be Saturday, December 7, with a champagne preview at 5:00 p, and the main event taking place from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now. It’s such a fun event - I hope to see you there!
 
There will be several events and previews taking place in addition to the main event. Some of which are listed below:

VIP Preview, Tuesday, December 3rd, 5 - 7pm
Sponsors and Honorary Benefit Committee members enjoy a close-up look at the artwork with Executive Director Elizabeth Spungen and donating artists, and get the first chance to bid on specialty items. Contact Michele Bregande for information on Sponsorship or the Honorary Benefit Committee.
 
Emerging Collectors Preview, Wednesday, December 4th, 5 - 7pm
“Speed Date” your way through the works up for bid with Philly Stewards! Enjoy this fun opportunity to explore works by artists from all over the world and learn about growing your own art collection.
Registration required by November 30th to benefit@printcenter.org
 
Public Preview, Thursday, December 5th, 12 - 6pm
In addition to the works being offered up in the auction, several of my color woodcuts are currently being featured on the walls of the gallery store.
 
 
Book Paper Scissors
 
Book Paper Scissors is an annual art sale showcasing works on paper, works made from paper, handmade paper, bookbinding, and artists books. I usually only participate as a spectator and shopper, but this year decided to sell some small works on paper including: wood engravings, movable printed paper toys, thaumatropes, and book plates. I’ll be tabling with my dear friend Valeria Kremser who will be selling her hand-made jewelry and other paper-based items.
 
The sale will be Saturday, December 7th, 2019 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
 
Free Library of Philadelphia 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
 

 
Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, FL – Multiple Ones: New Perspectives in Print Media
 
I have two print installations being exhibited alongside many other impressive artists that I have long admired in the traveling exhibition Multiple Ones: New Perspectives in Print Media.
 
The exhibition was curated by Sheila Goloborotko and features the artwork of twenty contemporary artists.
 
Artist featured include Justin Barfield, Shawn Bitters, Vanessa B. Cruz, Florence Gidez, Rebecca Gilbert, Ruthann Godollei, Sheila Goloborotko, Brandie Grogan, John Hitchcock, Andrew Kozlowski, Lauren Kussro, Nathan Meltz, Guen Montgomery, Jill Parisi, Andrew Raftery, Samantha Parker Salazar, Marliee Salvator, Mizin Shin, Swoon, and Eszter Sziksz.

“There is a freshness and contemporary pulse to printmaking that is taking the art world by surprise,” said Sheila Goloborotko. These prints hang frameless, flexible, folded and are built like a puzzle or planted as a garden. All the prints were manipulated in some fashion – cut, burnt, fired, mounted, recorded or pasted, Goloborotko noted. And while all the pieces in this show are quite diverse, they all have one thing in common: They form an open-ended mode or a network of nomadic relationships among all the elements in the collective printmaking process. “I hope viewers will understand the importance of contemporary printmaking as it is represented in this exhibition as a sculptural, video, painterly and social practice,” Goloborotko said.

Former venues for the exhibition included William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art & The Kwan Fong Gallery of Art and Culture, California Lutheran University and The Hunterdon Museum of Art in Clinton, New Jersey.
 
The next venue for this exhibition will be the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, FL, from April 1 - August 30, 2020.  
 

 

UPCOMING ADULT COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
 
Wood Engraving with Letterpress
Fleisher Art Memorial
 
Combine your own image with text to create an editioned print, bookplate, or card. We’ll achieve this by creating wood engravings and printing them alongside of moveable type using Fleisher’s small proofing press and newly revitalized antique platen press.

The Course will take place ten consecutive Tuesday evenings. It will begin January seventh and run through March 10th, 2020.

Wood engraving is a relief process that involves using engraving tools to carve into the end grain of dense wood. This differs from woodcuts in that woodcuts are carved from plank grain using gouges, knives, and chisels. The difference allows the artist to create highly detailed images that can be printed many times.
No previous carving or printing experience is necessary, but patience, good eyesight, and a steady hand are very helpful.

For more information and to register, visit: https://reg137.imperisoft.com/Fleisher/ProgramDetail/3435303930/Registration.aspx

Fleisher Art Memorial 719 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-922-3456
 
 
Introduction to Woodcut & Etching
The University of the Arts Continuing Studies Department
 
We’ll spend the first five weeks of this ten-week course making woodcuts, and the second ten weeks making etchings. Students will become familiar with the tools, language, methods, and materials used for making unique prints as well as limited editions in a safe, clean, and friendly print shop environment.
 
The course will run Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm beginning on January  - April 9th. The class will not meet on March 12th, because the school will be closed for spring break during that time.
 
For more information and to register, visit: https://www.enrole.com/uarts/jsp/session.jsp?sessionId=20SPC-ADSN-8888N-01&courseId=ADSN-8888N&categoryId=13E5CAB8
 
The University of the Arts College of Critical & Professional Studies Gershman Hall
401 S. Broad Street 2nd Floor, Room 205 Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 717-6006 ccps@uarts.edu
 
 

COMMISSIONS
 
I LOVE making wood engraving illustrations and am currently taking commissions for works with April/May deadlines. If interested, please contact me for a quote. Title the email “Wood Engraving Commission” and tell me a little bit about your project in the body of your email.

     
For more information:
Visions of Plenty: Observation, Perception, Illusion, and Reverie
Rebecca Gilbert

The exhibition dates are April 5 - May 10, 2019.

My next solo exhibition will be presented as part of the Wind Challenge Exhibition Series at Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia this spring.

I'm absolutely pleased to be presenting all new work that I've been creating thanks to generous support from the Independence Foundation and a WInterthur Research Fellowship.

The exhibition dates are April 5 - May 10, 2019.

The opening reception will be April 5 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

For more information:
SGCI - Texchange
Eye portrait by Rebecca Gilbert

March 6 – 9, 2019

For any of you printmaking folks headed out to Dallas this spring for the 2019 SGCI conference, I'll be presenting a demonstration along with Jonathan Thomas. I hope you'll be able to join us as we share our explorations in Plaster Cast Printing!

image: Eye Portrait, Plaster Cast Etching, Rebecca Gilbert, 2019.

For more information:
That Which Is Most Precious
That which is precious - Rebecca Gilbert

I have five pieces in this group exhibition at Montgomery College in Silver Spring, curated by Pablo Callejo, and I'm participating in a panel discussion at the opening. The show runs through March 7th, 2019.

For more information:
Print Center Auction
Proof Positive

It's finally here! The 2018 Print Center Auction will take place Saturday, December 1st. I donated a unique reduction and multiple block woodcut that I printed onto Japanese paper and then assembled into a shadow box. It's one of the only wodcuts I've ever made and not editioned. You can view it here along with many other amazing prints and photographs. Proceeds help to support The Print Center's mission and programs. http://printcenter.org/100/benefit-2018/

For more information:
Rebecca Gilbert: wonder, at The Print Center
Confluence by Rebecca Gilbert

December 16, 2016 - April 22, 2017

Rebecca Gilbert: wonder brings together new prints by the Philadelphia-based artist. Gilbert’s works come out of her interest in both traditional print processes and her poetic response to the landscape.

This new body of work grows out of an artist residency Gilbert had in 2015 at OCHO, Questa, NM. During the residency she explored the countryside around Questa guided by a treasure map created in the form of a poem. It was created by a retired art collector living in Santa Fe named Forrest Fenn, who has hidden more than one million dollars in gold somewhere in the rugged nearby countryside. Gilbert’s hunt for Fenn’s treasure became an opportunity to take notes and make sketches of the beautiful landscape with its interesting rock formations and hidden petroglyphs, as well as of objects she found during her hikes. Those sketches were the starting point for the engravings and woodcuts in this exhibition. While Gilbert’s treasure hunting activities are recent, her work has focused on gold in the past.

For more information:
Hunt, Gather, Build: In the Studio with Rebecca Gilbert

This is a short film that was shot, created, and edited by Joseph Rose. The film was shot in my studio in South Philadelphia and at The Print Center in Philadelphia. In the film I talk about themes explored within my recent body of work and Joseph documents the process of me making the work.