Wayzgoose is one of Tacoma’s most popular art festivals, a printmaking and book arts showcase named after a medieval guild celebration – but with plenty of fun for moderns. This installation showcases giant linoleum prints produced by steamroller during the ninth annual Wayzgoose.
Streetside Artscape:
Curated by Jessica Spring / Tacoma Wayzgoose 2013
11th & Broadway – Woolworth Window #3
May 16 – August 15, 2013
Lino-cut prints from Wayzgoose 2013, curated by Jessica Spring, on display in the Woolworth windows
Tacoma Wayzgoose 2013 / Curated by Jessica Spring
11th & Broadway (Woolworth Windows)
May 16 – August 15, 2013
Prints by: Audra Laymon, the Cartoonist League of Absurd Washingtonians, Ric Matthies, Stadium High School Printmaking, Maggie Roberts, Charles Wright Academy Printmaking, Beautiful Angle, Pacific Lutheran University Printmaking, Chris Sharp, Chandler O’Leary & Jessica Spring.
Linocut by Chandler O’ Leary & Jessica Spring, freshly smooshed by Amy Mcbride.
Tacoma loves prints. This is evident through the consistent stream of handmade posters designed for beloved local events, numerous local school printmaking programs, and by the smattering of “253” and Tacoma pride onto every media/object imaginable. The height of all this energy coalesces at the annual festival Wayzgooseat King’s Books, which just became 9 years old! This festival celebrates and showcases the work of many of Tacoma’s talented print artists.
A highlight of the event is the live printing of large linocuts pressed by a steamroller brought in by the city arts commission. This year ten artists/artist teams each created a 3 foot by 3 foot linocut print to be pressed at the event. “Linocut,” short for “linoleum cut,” is a method of printmaking in which the artist carves a design into a sheet of linoleum, creating something similar to a large rubber stamp. Artists tend to prefer using authentic linoleum made from linseed oil and cork dust, although newfangled versions made from vinyl or PVC can be used as well. Due to the availability of these materials, and the simplicity of the process, linocut has a 150 year history as a popular medium of the masses for producing posters and artwork. Linocuts are often large and bold in content and imagery, the ten prints created at this year’s Wayzgoose are no exception.
Each participating art team donated a print to King’s Books for fundraising, and another edition of each print can currently be seen on display in the Woolworth windows on Broadway. These prints, many created in homage to Tacoma, are a visual spectacle containing fantastic and clever imagery. They look superb in the bright summertime light and should be seen in person to be fully appreciated.
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