In the past several weeks I have been interning/working at Cave Paper, located in Minneapolis, MN with Amanda Degener. This small paper studio produces specialty paper, made by hand. This paper is primarily used by artists (especially book artists and binders), and designers. I have been involved in all the basic steps in making paper. The images below are from some rag paper I recently finished, created from rag and blue jeans (hence the color).

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This year I have participated in two exchanges so far. Women, Memory and Psychological Scapes was organized by Heather Leier and Meghan Pohlod, for the 2018 Southern Graphics Council International conference “Altered Landscapes”. There were 16 participants, with an assortment of techniques utilized. These women did a great job organizing the exchange, but also for the prints’ exhibition in several other venues!

Bastion was the second exchange, in which I created Innate Dual. This was an exchange I organized with my Intermediate Printmaking Students at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, perhaps the last printmaking exchange to take place in the Art & Design Department’s printmaking area. There was no theme and photopolymer had to be used. 11 students and myself participated, with one set going into the Print Archive. The students came up with the name Bastion, meaning a fortification, or an institution, person or place upholding particular beliefs or activities.

My work is wrapping up its exhibition in the René Carcan International Prize for Printmaking Exhibition 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. I found a short article highlighting the show: http://www.heritage-kbf.be/news/graphic-arts-prize-winners-rene-carcan-fund. I was awarded 2nd Mention (3rd Place)!

In addition to following me through my website, you can now follow me on Instagram: @grace.sippy

Very very happy to share the news of being awarded 2nd Mention (3rd Place) in the René Carcan International Prize for Printmaking 2018 Edition!! My work and the others selected for the 2018 Edition are exhibiting for three months at the Bibliotheca Wittockiana in Brussels, Belgium from February 15th – May 15th. You can view selected and prize-winning works here. In addition to being an exhibition space, the Bibliotheca Wittockiana is also a wonderful Bookbinding Museum and library. I was in Brussels last year in 2017 and visited the museum—it was such a pleasure to view their collection. The guide who greeted us gave us a personal tour, was friendly and knowledgable.

Thank you to all the students, faculty members and staff for inviting me to McMaster University. I had a wonderful time and felt very welcome. It was a pleasure to be there.

I have been invited as a visiting artist to McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario Canada for November 9th and 10th. My visit will include a lecture about my work and personal critiques with senior students. I am very excited for this visit and to see what their students are producing in contemporary printmaking.

Exciting news to share–I was accepted into the exhibition for the René Carcan International Prize For Printmaking! The main objective of this biennial award is to fulfill the artist’s wish to enhance the recognition of printmaking. You can learn more about René Carcan’s work here.

The selected printmakers will show at the Bibliotheca Wittockiana in Brussels, Belgium. I was fortunate enough to visit this museum when I was in Belgium in spring of 2017 and it is fantastic if you are interested in printmaking, book binding, history, or the book arts in general. The show opens February 15th and closes May 15th of 2018.

Once works arrive, jurors select a printmaker for the René Carcan International Grand Prize. There is also a 1st and 2nd Mention, as well as the René Carcan Public Prize, selected by public voters. Thrilled to be exhibiting in Belgium again!

Yesterday I was absolutely delighted to have seen that I was awarded an Excellence Prize at the Awagami International Miniature Print Exhibition 2017! Besides the Grand Prize and Runner-up Prize, it was one of 5 Excellence Prizes awarded from over 1,000 artists. The prize-winning works will be exhibited for several weeks at the Hall of Awa Japanese Handmade Paper Museum in Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Japan. It is very exciting to be exhibiting in Japan!