Keynote Speaker

The history of Flatgrafika II

Flatgrafika was a Printmaking symposium and festival, held in Regina, Saskatchewan in September 2017. The idea for a symposium was initially conceived by Articulate Ink, Regina’s Artist-run Printmaking studio. Members Em Ironstar, Karli Jessup, and Caitlin Mullan wanted an event to celebrate Printmaking in Saskatchewan, and beyond. University of Regina Printmaking Professor Robert Truszkowski, and Art Gallery of Regina directors Holly Fay and Jessica Richter quickly joined the team, and the scope of the project grew. Plans were made which would eventually include exhibitions at The Creative City Centre, The Fifth Parallel Gallery, and the MacKenzie Art Gallery; tours of Ambrosi Printers and Eagle Printing, as well as the Print Collection at the MacKenzie Art Gallery with Curator Timothy Long; artist talks from then-MFA Candidate Brian Hoad, University of Alberta Professor Sean Caulfield, and Nik Semenoff (through the Art Now art fair); an artist talk and stone lithography demo by Queen’s University Professor Emeritus Otis Tamasauskas; a Printmaking Artist-in-Residence, Elizabeth Elich, through the Dunlop Art Gallery commissioned by Education Curator Wendy Peart; a Print Olympics event hosted at Articulate Ink’s studio; and a panel discussion on Printmaking at the Art Gallery of Regina, surrounded by Kyoto Hanga - Canada and Japan, an exhibition of contemporary Prints from Canada and Japan, organized by the Kyoto Printmakers Association, the University of Alberta, and SNAP - Society of Northern Alberta Printmakers. Other important collaborators included Sâkêwêwak First Nations Artists’ Collective, The Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative, Slate Fine Art Gallery; as well as funding support from the City of Regina, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, and the University of Regina.

Flatgrafika brought artists, educators, students, and a wider audience together to share information and ideas, but most importantly their love of Printmaking. The SK Printmakers is committed to this vision, and looks forward to hosting Flatgrafika II at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon November 5th & 6th 2022.