Paperworkers Local to raise its visibility with 2 August exhibitions

Paperworkers Local is a Birmingham co-operative of about 20 artists that provides workspace for printmakers, showcases Alabama artists and educates the public about prints and other works on paper.

Founded in 2013, Paperworkers Local moved to 2717 Seventh Ave. S. in Lakeview in May, from its original location in Forest Park. The members are happy with the new space, according to artist John DeMotte. 

“The space is more open, making it easier to teach classes and display work,” he said. 

“We like Lakeview,” DeMotte added. “It’s a bustling area and should give us more visibility.”

And the nonprofit will do more to raise its visibility when it hosts two big shows in August.

Mimi Boston’s show, Paper & Ink, opens at the co-op on August 3 at 5 p.m.

Boston, one of the founding members, is a master gardener and many of her prints are botanically inspired, according to DeMotte. Using non-toxic print processes, Boston works in woodblocks, intaglio, photo-intaglio and mono prints.

Paperworkers Local will host its first-ever juried show, Ink Only, at the UAB Project Space at 900 13th St. South beginning August 25, with a reception at 5 p.m. Katie Baldwin, art professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, will select the art.

“It’s our first large grant-supported project,” DeMotte said, citing an Alabama State Council on the Arts grant.

Ink Only is also the co-op’s first official collaboration with the UAB Department of Art and Art History.

“Hosting the show at UAB will bring more visibility to Ink Only and furthers our goal of expanding the audience for printmaking,” DeMotte said.