Spark Central and Printmaking

On the first Friday of December and the Saturday to follow, Maria and I had the opportunity to partner with Spark Central for a Printmaking Open Workshop Extravaganza. Spark Central is a community creative resource center which functions as a non-profit. They partner with Ink (a creative writing organization) to bring all kinds of creative activities and resources to the Kendal Yards neighborhood.

We worked with Taylor, one of the full time employees there, to develop an idea to bring community members into Spark Central during Spokane's December First Friday. As I had just had the opportunity to attend the James Bailey printmaking panel and had the chance to make my own monoprints I suggested a similar idea to Taylor and the Spark Central team.The Spark Staff embraced the idea and got most of the supplies for the project. I cut and beveled glass for the monoprint panels and brought some other miscellaneous supplies.

On Friday and Saturday the event proved very successful and we had a range of community members come in to participate. From volunteers from the center itself, to young boys using the computers to play videogames and even a couple on a date we were able connect with many different people. 

There was always a person or two at the table participating and a steady ebb and flow of community members interacting watching and creating at our table.

A particular conversation which stood out to me was with a man who frequently volunteered at the center. He was elderly but quick on his feet and told me of other community arts projects he had facilitated himself. He particularly mentioned his work and connections with retirement communities around Spokane and the importance of the outreach to these communities. This conversation is just one example of the potential community art has for connecting. I would definitely like to orchestrate another community art event in the future.