Frederick Book Arts Center will host Print Day

BY CRYSTAL SCHELLE Special to The News-Post

Printmaking can trace its origins back to China’s Han Dynasty, where the first print on paper was made during the 7th century. Although the tools, ink and even paper have changed slightly from that time, the age-old tradition has continued to live on.

To celebrate printmaking of the past, the present and the future around the globe, Frederick Book Arts Center will host Print Day in May, part of a global event. The event will be held as part of First Saturday events throughout downtown Frederick and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6.

“Print Day just really falls into the wheelhouse of what we do at the Book Arts Center because we do so many different types of printing,” said Johnny Carrera, executive director and co-founder of FBAC.

Each year, he said, FBAC focuses the event around a different theme. Last year, for instance, FBAC made prints of manhole covers throughout Frederick, “a guerrilla printing thing,” Carrera said. The prints were then transferred to T-shirts.

“This year, we’re going to try something really experimental and fun,” he said.

Using a traditional Japanese printmaking method called gyotaku, or fish prints. The method dates back to the 1800s by fishermen who would use their actual fish to make prints as a way to record their catch. They used a nontoxic sumi ink that was applied to the fish before it was printed. Eventually, gyotaku became an art form in and of itself.

The good news is that no real fish will be harmed in the making of prints at the FBAC. Instead, rubber fish will be used, which will give the same results. Carrera said the activity will finally put to use the rubber fish his co-founder and board president Sara Friedman started purchasing back in 2018.

“A couple of us were saying, ‘What are you doing Sara?” he said jokingly. “She’s like, ‘No, people love these. You’re gonna have to trust me on this. It’s gonna be cool.’”

Visitors who participate in gyotaku should bring their own T-shirts and for $15 can make their own printed shirts. Others can purchase alreadymade shirts for $20.

Print Day In May

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6

Where: Frederick Book Arts Center, 217 W. Patrick St., Frederick Tickets: Free

Info: frederickbookarts.org, facebook.com/ frederickbookartscenter said with a laugh.

The fish will also reappear for a summer program for rising third to fifth graders called Nature of Books.

Visitors will have the chance to take a keepsake with them using an 1800s platen letterpress, where a flat surface holds the paper and the paper is pressed against a flat inked printing plate. FBAC will also host demos in a variety of printmaking styles throughout the day.

As part of the Print Day celebration, artists in the community were encouraged to submit a piece of art that will be on display throughout the event. Carrera said anyone in the Frederick community could submit their work for the exhibit.

Although Print Day in May highlights printing, the FBAC celebrates printmaking all year long. They focus on intaglio printmaking, which is basically a design that is cut into the surface into a plate, ink is applied to the plate where it soaks into the cuts, and then the image is transferred onto a paper or cloth.

Additionally, FBAC focuses on relief printing and offers access to letter-printing presses, where people can handset type using wooden or metal letters. FBAC offers programs for a variety of ages throughout the year.

Carrera said this event is a perfect opportunity for those interested in printmaking or art to visit the Frederick Book Arts Center.

Printmaker Eric Groff, a former intern with FBAC, has tested the fish prints on T-shirt material.

To give novice printmakers some practice, a large cloth will be available, and the cloth will later be put on display, like a communal art piece.

Carrera has tried his hand at gyotaku on a T-shirt that features The Cure’s Robert Smith — now with fish coming in and out of the image. “It’s something that you wouldn’t expect to have fish swimming around,” he

“If you haven’t been to the Book Arts Center before, this may be the perfect opportunity to come,” he said, “because it is really a chance to tour all the various things we do.”

Crystal Schelle is a journalist whose work has been published locally, regionally and nationally. She enjoys trivia, cats and streaming movies.

Thursday May 4

Classes

Caregivers’ Toolbox: Get Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies! — 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Are you ready to plant something the whole family can enjoy? Vegetables are more exciting when you can see them grow! Bring the little ones. 301-600-7004. marchange-desir@ frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/ caregivers-toolbox-get-your-kids-eat-theirveggies.

Etcetera

EMF National Day of Prayer Breakfast at Champion Billiards Sports Bar, 5205 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. Come on out with the team and play some Pour House Trivia. 7 p.m. start. Extended Happy Hour from 4 to 8 p.m. 301-846-0089. frederickchampions.com/weekly-specials.

— 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Walker’s Overlook, 8939 Woodsboro Pike, Walkersville. Sponsored by the Evangelical Ministerial Fellowship. Doors open at 7 a.m. and the breakfast will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. A discussion panel will include panelists representing Frederick’s 11 Spheres of Influence: Agriculture, business, church, community/nonprofit, education, family, first responders, government, healthcare, media and military.

$35. 301-473-5253. vccfrederickmd@gmail. com. nationaldayofprayer-frederick.org/ prayer-breakfast.

Noontime Prayer Gatherings throughout Frederick — noon to 1 p.m., Frederick. Eleven prayer gatherings. Each of these simultaneous gatherings will focus on 11 specific areas of cultural influence throughout the county: Frederick Fairgrounds, agriculture; Yakabod, business; 24/7 Prayer Room, church; Frederick Rescue Mission, community/nonprofit; Baker Park Gazebo, education; MHA/Calvary Chapel parking lot, family; Memorial Park across from Talley Rec Center, law enforcers/ first responders; steps of the courthouse, government; Hospital Park, healthcare; and Warehouse Cinema, media. 301-473-5253. vccfrederickmd@gmail.com. nationaldayofprayer-frederick.org/ noontime-prayer.

200 Monroe Restaurant — 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Monroe Center, 200 Monroe Ave., Frederick. Frederick Community College invites you to enjoy a gourmet dinner created by the talented students at 200 Monroe Restaurant! Reservations are required! For dine-in or carryout, visit opentable.com/200-Monroe. $40-$44. HCTI@frederick.edu. opentable.com/200-monroe.

Pour House Trivia — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Festivals

Youth Prayer Rally — 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Baker Park Bandshell, 21 N Bentz Street, Frederick. The Annual Youth Prayer Rally is where young people (includes college and young adults) gather together and pray publicly for all levels of government and its leaders. It is also a local observance of the National Day of Prayer, which occurs each year on the 1st Thursday in May. Pre-event activities start at 5:30 p.m. with food and giveaways. Program starts at 6 p.m. with praise and worship, live music, liturgical dance, prayers, and more! 240-529-3494.

cj@nationaldayofprayer-frederick.org. nationaldayofprayer-frederick.org.

Film

McDaniel Cinema Showcase — 6 p.m. at Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. This annual event showcases student-produced fiction and documentary films as the culminating project for each cinema student’s senior capstone. Visit www. mcdaniel.edu/cinema for more information about McDaniel’s Cinema program. mcdaniel.edu/about-us/event-calendars.

Gallery

The Hagerstown and Frederick Railway Exhibit — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. From 1896 until 1954, a network of interurban trolley lines were built linking communities across Frederick and Washington counties. This exhibit presents the history of these electric railways and how they changed the landscape and communities of Frederick County.

$12, $10, $8. director@frederickhistory.org. cognitoforms.com/HeritageFrederick1/ stitchesthroughtimeexhibittickets.

Music

Jazz Night — 7 p.m. at Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. Music lecturer Tim Jenkins directs as student musicians perform diverse styles of jazz, including classic big band swing, bebop, jazz-rock, classic blues and more. 410-857-2599. mcdaniel.edu/about-us/event-calendars.

“Elvis and Conway: The Ultimate Tribute” — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. A must see NEW show featuring the best of Elvis Presley and Conway Twitty’s classic hits! With special guest, award winning David Lee as Conway Twitty and featuring David King, international Grand Champion Elvis tribute artist, with The Spin-Outs Elvis Tribute Band. Concessions will be available. All tickets will have an additional processing fee applied Adults - $35; Seniors, Military & Frontline Workers - $30; Students (18 & under) - $25. 717-263-0202. vperry@ thecapitoltheatre.org. thecapitoltheatre.org/shows-movies-events/ live-shows-2023.

Tivoli Discovery Series: Zach Person — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick. The Tivoli Discovery Series is the pay-what-you-want series featuring emerging artists. This month features Austin, Texas-based Zach Person, who plays loud, raw, and connects with his music fans on a primal sonic level. $10. 301-600-2868. bhiller@ cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/zach-person.

FCC Handbell and Flute Ensemble — 7:30 p.m. at Frederick Community College, Visual & Performing Arts Center | JBK Theater, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Celebrate the seasons with these wonderful ensembles. With one of the only college handbell choirs in the region, we welcome you to experience a real treat, a wonderful collaboration of the FCC Handbell Ensemble, directed by Barbara Scheffter, and the FCC Flute Ensemble, directed by Michelle Rippey.

Ngaiire — 7:30 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Hailing from the Eastern Highlands and New Ireland provinces of Papua New Guinea, though now Sydney Australia-based, Ngaiire’s sound melds electronic neo-soul, gospel and big pop sounds, strained through the lens of a First Nations Papua New Guinean songwriter. Touring as a 6-piece ensemble, Ngaiire’s shows give the audience the full spectrum of live performances: one moment will be a pop banger, and the next she will break your heart.

$27-$37. 301-600-2828. bhiller@ cityoffrederick.com. weinbergcenter.org/shows/ngaiire/.

Friday May 5

ETCETERA

Community Drum Circle — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at FAC’s Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll

St., Frederick. A community drum circle hosted and led by the professional music therapists from Noteable Progressions Music Therapy Services every first Friday through October. All ages and abilities welcome! Bring your own drum or choose a percussion instrument from the array. Free to enter, $5 suggested donation at the door benefits Noteable Progressions’ community nonprofit partners. 301-662-4190. skystage@ frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org/programs/ sky-stage.

Murder Mystery Party — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant, 581 Himes Ave., Frederick. An evening of murder, mystery and mayhem. Come dressed in cocktail attire. This is a comedy mystery game set in the present day at a Hollywood Mansion. Watch out. You might die laughing. Admission includes three-course dinner with entree options, taxes and gratuity. Cash bar available. $85. 410-549-2722. murdermysterycompany@gmail.com. ddmysteries.eventbrite.com.

Family

Do Astronauts Read in Space? — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Carroll County Public Library, Mount Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy. For ages up to 5. Get ready to blast off as we celebrate National Astronaut Day by inspiring kids to learn about space exploration and the lives of astronauts. For kids who love space and the mysteries it holds, this is a great day to celebrate exploring the great unknown! 410-386-4470. ask@carr.org. ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/ do-astronauts-read-space.

Baker Park Nature Explorers — 11 a.m. to noon at Baker Park Gazebo, 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick. Join us at the Baker Park Gazebo for an interactive nature class for kids! Every Friday in May-September, children are invited to become an explorer through active play and discovery time. In partnership with the City of Frederick, Fox Haven will lead a program that encourages children to be curious and find inspiration amid the ecosystems around us. For ages 4 to 6.

$3 to $6 per session. 240-490-5484. alecks@foxhavenfarm.org. foxhavenfarm.org/events/ baker-park-nature-explorers/2023-05-05.

Calendar

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