Printmaking—by its very nature—is an art form. Throughout time, artists have used it to express themselves and illustrate pressing social, political and cultural issues.
A new printmaking exhibition at the Clara M. Lovett Art Museum at Northern Arizona University will take visitors on a journey through time across the American Southwest, Central America and South America.
Museum curator Ty Miller, said visitors can expect to see a wide range of powerful images.
“Some are bold and urgent, others poetic and reflective; they explore themes of justice, community and resilience,” Miller said. “Visitors can also experience a story unique to NAU: the way donors and curators have built this collection, with recurring themes, over time, ensuring that important voices from across the Americas are represented.”
The exhibit, titled “Prints. People. Power.,” aims to connect historical art narratives to contemporary issues. It highlights the works of three different print groups: Taller de Gráfica Popular, based in Mexico City; Movimiento Artístico del Río Salado, based in Phoenix; and The Arizona Print Group. Miller said the exhibition is significant because it amplifies the voices of artists from communities that have been historically underrepresented in mainstream museum spaces.
“This exhibition brings together artists from three influential printmaking collectives to highlight how print media has long served as a tool for community voice, political expression and cultural connection,” said Miller. “What makes this exhibition significant is that each artwork on display is part of the NAU Art Museums’ permanent collection, as the exhibition is composed of gifts from private donors that have been accrued over decades by various museum directors and curators since the 1960s.”
This is the inaugural exhibit for a series of future student-led exhibitions and curation projects, which will feature works from the permanent collection. The exhibit is not only the first at the NAU Art Museums to involve student collaboration but also the first to integrate generative artificial intelligence in design, translation of source materials and research.
“It illustrates how NAU’s art museums have prioritized collecting works that both resonate locally and connect to global conversations,” Miller said. “Most of these artworks came to the university through the generosity of donors, whose gifts now make it possible for our students and community to engage with powerful art right here in Flagstaff. Through this exhibition, we support the mission of art and teaching museums at public universities to serve as bridges for art, history and contemporary dialogue.”
Print. People. Power. will be on display through Nov. 27 at the Clara M. Lovett Art Museum. The exhibit is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors should expect a self-guided, 30- to 40-minute gallery experience in the three spaces. No food or water is allowed in the gallery. Faculty members interested in coordinating field trips need to contact the museum at least two weeks in advance at art.museum@nau.edu.
Mariana Laas | NAU Communications
(928) 523-5050 | mariana.laas@nau.edu