PD day 2 and the print shop

Today was the second day of our PD day held by the QSO and was based on assessment in schools. The information was a refresher of much of what we have learned down south but I appreciated it and the the activities as well as the time spent with the teachers and school staff. It was also interesting to sit in a room full of an again diverse group and sense the desire for change, but also to sense the lack of resources and tools for that change.

After the PD day we were invited to go to the print and lithography shop. It was so fascinating to see the shop in action!  Prior to going to the shop, I did understand that the work involved in actually making a print was intense, but seeing it in person really brought that home.  The whole process starts with the print shop purchasing local artists work (and they truly only buy Cape Dorset work). Those prints are then transferred by the print shop artists etching onto slate (from old pool tables right now; ingenious I thought). Then they pour ink over the etching and put Japanese rice paper over the ink and press the ink into the paper with various tools (a spoon like thing seemed to be the best option). this process goes over and over again until all the layers of ink are on the print. The final products are incredible. The lithography shop is similar and from what I could tell, the main difference is that they use metal to transfer the drawings and the ink is pressed on with the use of rollers. All very neat!

While we were there we also were fortunate enough to meet one of the artists. She had come in to sign all her prints as the original artists is the one who gets credit for the work, but on each piece they also put the emblem of the print shop and a mark to recognize the print maker. It was fascinating to watch her see her final product and put her final "stamp of approval" (as I saw it) on it. Also we learned that the print shop and lithography shop now work together. I never thought they didn't work collaboratively, so I was surprised this was a new thing. I was also interested and inspired that we met apprentices and to hear about the process of moving up in the company.

Kenujuak Ashevak - renowned artist- the last print done by her at that shop.