In this master class led by former production resident Paul John, learn the basics of Risograph printmaking through the lens of activism. Students will use the Risograph machine, a high-speed stencil duplicator that allows for vibrant printing, to complete a series of guided projects that troubleshoot machine quirks, learn best practices for printing with multiple colors, and ultimately create contemporary protest materials that will help make real change.

Alongside the hands-on component of class, a guest lecturer will impart the role of printed material during historical times of political unrest, including the Russian Constructivist Movement, the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War protests.

Price: $150 ($125 + $25 materials fee)

Audience: Open to all.

Materials: Materials will be provided.

Paul John received his MFA in printmaking and his BA in Philosophy. He is a designer and the Risograph Studio Manager at the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop where he also teaches. In addition to RBPW he has taught and lectured on printmaking at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Art and Design, the Queens Museum of Art, IPCNY, Pioneer Works, and at many other institutions and venues. He is the co-founder of Endless Editions, a publishing and curatorial initiative whose mission is to produce and disseminate books and prints by emerging artists irrespective of age, gender identity, race or creed and whose books are in the collection of many major museums. Endless Editions participates in all major artbook fairs and was the co-curator along with the Bruce High Quality Foundation of the first annual Brooklyn Art Book Fair at McCarren Park Play Center in 2017, and is currently the sole organizer of the annual fair.