My time at Flower City is coming to a close. This experience has given me the chance to gain knowledge of new facilities, work with wonderful people I would never have met otherwise and have a ton of fun.
One memory from this summer is helping our Artist in Residence Megan Barrette set up for her show. Although the day was spent hanging photographs, leveling the frames and cleaning the space, it gave me a better insight into exhibitions and the work that is put into them. Artwork is displayed differently in every medium and as a graphic design student, often display is thought about last because functional work is usually not showcased the same way that other art is. Helping Megan set up for Guiding Light not only exposed me to some beautiful artwork, but gave me strong real world knowledge.
One of my main projects during my time at Flower City was to create promotional material and example work for the new Riso printer in the digital art lab. Having never used a Riso printer before (and having a shaky understanding of what risograph printing was), I was a bit intimidated. But soon I was able to understand the workflow much better and I now feel accomplished with my riso abilities!
Beginning with simple cards to be used for a free riso printing night all the way up to a more complex (albeit silly) zine, I feel I gained a very valuable understanding of this awesome machine! I look forward to using riso printing again in my art this upcoming year at school.
Overall, I will look back on this experience with so much happiness. I have grown as an artist and I am honored to have worked with an organization that means so much to Rochester.
Thank you!