Oct. 29

9th annual postcard exhibition, auction runs through Nov. 6

by Heather Sauer, College of Design Communications

Iowa State's University Print Society will host "Two of Five," its 9th annual Postcard Print Exchange Exhibition and Silent Auction, Nov. 2-6 in Gallery 181 on the main level of the College of Design. The show features the work of 320 artists from 33 states and four other countries: Australia, Canada, Finland and Northern Ireland.

"Two of Five" exhibition

Gallery 181, first floor, College of Design

Nov. 2-6

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

The project began last spring when printmakers from around the world were invited to send 13 original, identical 4-by-6 inch prints to April Katz, faculty adviser to the group and an associate professor of art and design/integrated studio arts.

The theme for this year's exchange is "Two of Five;" artists were asked to select any two of these five words -- star, impostor, hallucinogenic, monster, fast -- and consider all possible variations and meanings of these words in creating their prints.

Eligible methods included any multiple edition printmaking technique -- woodcuts, litho, intaglio, relief, photography, silkscreen, digital printmaking, etc. Prints were to be stamped and mailed separately as postcards, so they would bear the markings of travel and postal services.

Every artist who submitted prints received 12 prints from other artists in return (hence the exchange). The print society kept one print from each artist and these will be on display as a part of the exhibition and available for bid in the silent auction.

Silent auction

The exhibition is an opportunity to collect interesting pieces of art, purchase unusual gifts, and help a student cause. All prints displayed as part of the exhibition will be for sale through a bidding process, which will be described in the gallery.

Proceeds will help fund club activities, including student attendance at the annual Southern Graphics Council Conference in Philadelphia in March 2010 and a visit by engraving expert James Ehlers, who will present a workshop for printmakers and metals students in February 2010. His campus visit will include a public lecture about his work.

Bidding ends at 5 p.m. Nov. 6. Winners will be notified by e-mail.