The first live event of the renewed New Disruptors happens Jan. 23 at Ada’s Technical Books and Café in Seattle. I asked three local letterpress artists to talk about what it’s like to run a partial or full career in the 21st century using techniques and technology that dates back to the 15th to early 20th centuries.
This episode will air a few days after taping. If you’re in the area, you can RSVP via a Facebook Event, but the event is free and first-come, first-seated with limited space. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and will offer Q&A afterwards.
The event announcement:
Glenn hosts a panel discussion with Demian Johnston, Sarah Kulfan, and Amy Redmond about their work and practices, and how they make the past mesh with the present, especially at a time when authenticity is highly prized. The event will end with a Q&A. The printers and Glenn will have some of their work on hand and available for purchase. (Note that this live event will be taped for later online audio posting.)
Admission is free and no ticket is required, but space is limited. As an incentive to venture out in the January cold, the first 20 or so arrivals will receive a free pastry courtesy of the podcast, so come early!
The New Disruptors podcast features independent artists who control how their work is made and distributed in a constantly changing creative economy. It was brought back after a hiatus through the support of patrons.
Biographies
Glenn Fleishman, the host, is a freelance journalist who regularly contributes to the Atlantic, Fortune, the Economist, and Macworld. He was the inaugural Designer in Residence in 2017 at the School of Visual Concepts (SVC), during which time he designed and printed a limited-edition book by letterpress. Instagram: @glennfdot
Sarah Kulfan is a visual designer, illustrator, and letterpress printer. She is the proprietrix of Gallo Pinto Press and Beans n’ Rice where she respectively prints limited edition prints and runs her freelance graphic design business. Sarah thrives working as an independent artist and designer where the flexibility in her schedule allows her plenty of time for opting outside. Instagram: @hellobeansnrice
Amy Redmond is a Seattle-based visual designer and artist who has been using letterpress as a medium for self-expression since 1998. Her apprenticeship with Stern & Faye, Printers, cultivated an appreciation for traditional and experimental use of letterforms. Amy works as an independent art director and graphic designer, and prints in her studio Amada Press. Her work has appeared nationally in solo and group shows. She teaches at SVC and PLU. She is a 2018 GAP Award recipient. Instagram: @amadapress
Demian Johnston is the Designer and Pressman at Annie’s Art & Press, a letterpress shop in Ballard. At SVC, he teaches both introductory and advanced classes in the letterpress program. His design and illustration work has appeared in The Stranger, Seattle Weekly, City Arts, and Beer Advocate. He is also the founder of the art and music label Dead Accents and a veteran performing musician in Seattle’s underground music scene. Instagram: @anniesartandpress