A chance encounter at a printmaking conference and a mutual following on Instagram became a unique opportunity for Jacob Bautista, art lecturer within the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Performing and Visual Arts.
In March 2022, Bautista met Marco Sanchez, a visual artist and lecturer at the El Paso Community College in El Paso, Texas while attending a printmaking conference in Madison, Wisconsin. At the time, Sanchez was putting together a print exchange, but one of the participants dropped out last minute.
Both familiar with each other’s work on Instagram, Sanchez offered Bautista a spot in the print exchange.
“A print exchange is where a printmaker will come up with a theme and invite other printmakers to make a print based on that theme, and then everyone who participates gets a portfolio with all the artists’ prints,” said Bautista.
This portfolio of 33 prints entitled Nexo Entre Raíces/Nexus Between Roots now resides in Nohr Gallery as part of its first exhibition of the 2023–2024 academic year.
According to Sanchez, this collection of prints is a response to the passage of time. Created by artists who reside in Mexico and the United States, these prints investigate the unique identity, traditions and culture of artists who believe in the continuity of their Mexican roots whether they live in Mexico or abroad.
“This portfolio is a huge showcase of many different types of prints and processes which would be great to expose my print students to and hopefully inspire them to work in new ways,” said Bautista. “I think the art program and campus can benefit from looking at work from Latinx artists, especially in a place like Wisconsin and Platteville that lack diversity. Viewing the work can give insight to the complex culture that Mexican and Latinx artists share. With this exhibition, I hope that it fosters empathy for people who may look, speak and have different traditions than you."
An opening reception for Nexo Entre Raíces/Nexus Between Roots: A Printmaking Exhibition will take place on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 3-4:30 p.m. in Nohr Gallery. The Harry Nohr Envelope Design Challenge envelopes submitted as part of a campaign the gallery hosted over the summer to celebrate the namesake of the gallery are also on display.
The Harry and Laura Nohr Gallery offers access to high quality cultural and educational opportunities in the visual arts, free of charge, to the students, faculty and staff of UW-Platteville and the people of Platteville and the Southwestern Wisconsin region. Nohr Gallery is located in the lower level of Ullsvik Hall on the UW-Platteville main campus.
Nexo Entre Raíces/Nexus Between Roots: A Printmaking Exhibition is open to the public most weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 13–Oct. 6, 2023.