24th Annual Postcard Exchange Exhibition: insects and their environment – Gallery 181

The University Print Society, an ISU student organization, is presenting its 24th Annual International Postcard Print Exchange Exhibition and Silent Auction, Nov. 18 – Dec. 6 at the ISU College of Design.

Exhibition hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. – Fri. Admission is free. The opening reception will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19 (5 – 6:30 p.m.) Gallery 181 will be closed November 25–29 for Thanksgiving Break.

This postcard exchange dates back to December 2022, when printmakers from around the world were invited to send 13 original, identical, 4-by-6 inch prints to the University Print Society, with a postmark deadline of Oct. 1, 2023. Eligible methods included any edition-able printmaking technique, for example, woodcuts, litho, intaglio, relief, photography, silkscreen or digital printmaking. Prints were to be stamped and mailed separately as postcards, so they would bear the markings of travel and the postal service.

Every artist who submitted prints received 12 different prints from other artists, hence the “exchange.” The University Print Society kept one print from each artist for its own collection, and these are the prints that will be in the exhibition. Additional postcards from past exchanges also will be on view.

The show will include 170 different prints by artists from 17 US states and five other countries: Belgium, Canada, England, South Korea, and the Netherlands.

Theme: Insects and Their Environment

“Selected by students, this year’s theme resulted in varied responses from individuals from across the country and across the world,” said Raluca Iancu, assistant professor of art and visual culture (printmaking) and faculty advisor to the print club.

“Insects do so much for our environment, and we encouraged participants to reflect on all the ways they impact our lives. We were delighted to receive prints featuring many different insects and environments,” she said.

Silent auction

All prints on display will be for sale through an easy bidding process. This presents a great opportunity to collect interesting pieces of art, purchase unusual gifts for friends and family, and help a great cause. Bidding ends at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, the close of the exhibit. Winners will be notified by e-mail to arrange to pick up the prints the following week.

Proceeds from the silent auction will help fund the student club’s activities, such as visiting artist lectures and print projects, as well as supplies for on-campus printmaking workshops.