Atlanta Printmakers Biennial papers Barbara Archer Gallery

• Courtesy Atlanta Printmakers Studio
• APS Purchase Award, Heather Huston, “Shifting, Remembering” (screenprint)

For its inaugural Atlanta Print Biennial, the Atlanta Printmakers Studio had the daunting task of narrowing more than 750 entries from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan down to 70.

“We expected a good response but not that many,” says Rich Gere, a member of the APS board of directors.

Enter juror Beth Grabowski, UNC Chapel Hill Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Art, acclaimed printmaker and author of the seminal Printmaking, A Complete Guide to Materials and Processes.

“Grabowski was really instrumental in attracting a lot of people because of her reputation,” says Gere. “It immediately gave the show a particular status to have Grabowski juror the show. “We also chose her because she’s publishing these books on printmaking a lot of people want her to see their work in her books. Her dedication and professionalism in choosing the people in the show was a paramount part of it.”

Grabowski had only a few weeks to sift through all of the entries, the majority of which flooded in right at deadline says Gere. The Atlanta Printmakers Studio is co-hosting the event with Inman Park’s Barbara Archer Gallery. “Barbara Archer didn’t see any of the work before it was hung, so to have that trust of a major local gallery was great,” says Gere.

“I think it’s an extremely strong show we were pleasantly surprised at the strength of the show ,” he says.

Awards were announced at the show’s opening reception Saturday. The list of winners and images of their work below; exhibit runs through Dec. 3.