Mike Sims was first introduced to lithography, described as the closest of all printing processes to pure drawing, as a student in the late 1960s. And Sims was hooked.
By Laura Spencer
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-988958.mp3
Kansas City, Mo. – In 1979, Sims founded Lawrence Lithography Workshop. In lithography, an artist draws directly on the lithograph stones or plates; printmakers then use the marks to create an original print. Over the last three decades, the shop, now based in Kansas City, Mo. has collaborated with more than 130 artists, and produced hundreds of prints.
Belger Arts Center gallery assistant, Mo Dickens, says this of Sims:
"Once he started Lawrence Lithography, he became a master printer. And his sole commitment is to help an artist do the best job they can and get that idea on to the paper."
An exhibition at the Belger displays series of prints or portfolios, from the early days of Lawrence Lithography to the present, including Roger Shimomura's images of the Japanese internment camp experience, William Wiley's alter-ego Seedy Rom who mocks the art world, and Akio Takimori's playful prints of ceramic figures with monkeys on their heads.
KCUR's Laura Spencer met up with Mike Sims in his office at the Lawrence Lithography Workshop.
"The Lawrence Lithography Workshop: Suites and Portfolios"
curated by Stephen Gleissner, Wichita Art Museum
Belger Arts Center
2100 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Mo.
July 1 - October 7, 2011
Wichita Art Museum
Wichita, Kansas
October 29 - February 12, 2012
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