Crowd packs the house for Letterpress Hullabaloo

A standing-room only crowd turned out Monday evening at the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center for the opening reception of “Letterpress Hullabaloo,” a celebration of the history and modern expression of printmaking.

Letterpress Hullabaloo is an invitational exhibition of contemporary printers and bookmakers that examines the continuing practice and historical context of letterpress, the original technique of printing with an inked, raised surface. Printers from around the United States were selected for this exhibition based on their Indianapolis connections, preservation of historical practices, contemporary innovations and/or unique experiences or techniques. The opening reception with hands-on exhibits and a presentation/lecture by Erin Beckloff, Co-Director of "Pressing On: The Letterpress Film" on on January 23, 2017. (Photo by D. Todd Moore, University of Indianapolis)

Letterpress Hullabaloo  (Photo by D. Todd Moore, University of Indianapolis)

Curious visitors had a chance to try their hand at printmaking and assist in the traditional craft of bookbinding. Letterpress fans strolled through the gallery to chat with Indiana-based printmakers and peruse colorful posters. It was all to celebrate an antiquated technology that has newfound meaning in the digital age.

Erin Beckloff, an assistant professor in graphic design at Miami University of Ohio who directed and produced the documentary “Pressing On: The Letterpress Film,” spoke to a capacity audience about how the passion of a small but dedicated community is keeping the art, design and craft of letterpress alive. Some significant figures in the letterpress community operate right here in Indiana.
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Campus robotics competition highlights STEM education efforts across Indiana

VEX robotics teamWhile the rest of their competitors were frantically tweaking their machines to just the right specifications before matches began, the robotics team from Covenant Christian High School huddled away from the crowds to take their robot for a test drive.

“It’s nerve-wracking when the robot doesn’t exactly do what you want it to do in the tournament. But, that’s part of fun of this competition,” said team member Isaac Lapley, 16.

Covenant Christian of Indianapolis was one of more than 100 local teams competing in at the VEX Robotics Competition, held in January at the University of Indianapolis. Top finishers at the campus event advanced to the state competition held later this year. All participants are now eligible to be considered for a $10,000 scholarship to the University of Indianapolis.
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