Historical Overview of Printmaking Plus Paintings by Alumnus Joseph Blajda at PSU Galleries in November

PLYMOUTH — The Karl Drerup Art Gallery and Exhibitions Program at Plymouth State University will present History and Techniques of Printmaking, Nov. 6 through Dec. 14 at the Karl Drerup Art Gallery in the Draper & Maynard Building on North Main Street. There is no charge for admission.

Works by Durer, Hiroshige, Goya, Kollwitz, Piranesi, Christo and Miro, among others in this wonderful teaching collection, will be on display for the first time at PSU.

The exhibit is a historical overview of the varieties of methods, techniques and styles produced by artists from 1500 to the present. Technical examples of work include woodcuts, lithographs, etchings, engravings and serigraphs. The collection is owned by painter and teacher George Burk and is curated by Burk's son, Curry College art historian Efram Burk.

A reception will be held Tuesday, Nov. 6, 4-6 p.m. at the Gallery. Efram Burk will talk about the exhibition beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Drerup Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, 1-4 p.m. The Gallery is closed Sundays and PSU holidays.

The Silver Center Gallery will host an exhibition of paintings by PSU alumnus Joseph Blajda of Manchester Nov. 13 through Dec. 14. An artist's reception is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Silver Center.

Since his graduation from PSU, Blajda has continued to grow and prosper as a painter, designer, printer and musician, in addition to teaching. He has taught at the NH Art Institute, the Kimball-Jenkins School of Art and the Summit Youth Services Center School.

Blajda has been the printer/designer for Indian Head Athletics in Manchester and works as a freelance designer for various applications. His work was featured in the recent educational text, Art Lab for Kids, produced by Art Stream Studios in Rochester. He has exhibited his paintings at galleries in Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Rochester; Ogunquit and Rockland, Maine; Boston, Mass., and Long Island, N.Y.

In his oil paintings he examines the moods and colors of his environments, whether internal or external, neighborhood visions or ocean tranquility. With this series, he investigates the colors, textures and psychological nuances of the moods present in his subject, stuffed toys.

Silver Center hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. The Silver Center is closed most holidays.

Information about the gallery and exhibitions program is online at www.plymouth.edu/gallery.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Joseph Blajda, "Thanks to Manet" oil painting. (Courtesy photo)