Stella Arbeláez Tascón was working on a commission for the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA). She was responsible for creating beautiful tablecloths for a fundraiser dinner to be held at the museum.
The overall design of the dinner was loosely based on a 1979 Judy Chicago installation called The Dinner Party. The Dinner Party was built around a massive ceremonial banquet, arranged on a triangular table with a total of thirty-nine place settings, each commemorating an important woman from history.
To engage the public in the creative process, Stella held a Print Party where visitors to OMA could walk in and make a print on one of the tablecloths. I had already finished a sketch of the Print Party but realized I couldn’t see much of the tabletops from my seated angle, so I stood to do this second sketch. I loved watching people’s excitement as they added their personal touch to the art process.
There were about 4 or 5 volunteers who were recruited to help. Stella had to train everyone on the methods needed to make clean prints. The volunteers would then have to train each guest on how to make a print.
It was cute to watch children making what was probably the very first print they had ever made. I could see their eyes light up when they saw the results and many wanted to try and make another print. Adults exhibited just as much wonder.
Stella was very clear about making sure the ink rollers were stored face up and it was important that the guests rolled enough ink on the plates without putting too much ink down. Once a tablecloth had enough prints it was removed and put aside. Later all the finished tablecloths were moved to a classroom in the back of the museum.
Stella had purchased a simple, mechanical printing press. However, once on site, Stella preferred to use traditional hand printing methods instead, providing a more personal experience and control over the process for the guests. Flat wooden spatulas were used to burnish designs from the wood blocks with water-based inks onto the fabrics. As with Eco-Printing, there was a wide variety to the prints that were made at the print party. Some were light because the guest felt tentative, while others were bold and dark. Like all hand made art, the result reflected the spirit of the artist, even if it was their first time making a print.
In my humble opinion, the Paint Party was a smashing success.