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Southwest Print Fiesta steam rolls into Silver City
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The Southwest Print Fiesta will return to Silver City for its ninth year from Friday, Oct. 10, through Monday, Oct. 13, bringing together artists, printmakers and enthusiasts from across the Southwest for a weekend of hands-on workshops, exhibitions, artist talks and the crowd-favorite Steamroller Printing.
“The Southwest Print Fiesta (SWPF) was initially founded in 2016 by the Mimbres Region Arts Council, an arts nonprofit based here in Silver City,” festival director Kyle Durrie, who owns Power and Light Press, said. “At the time, MRAC’s new director floated the idea past me about a printmaking festival — he wondered if folks might be interested in such a thing? I said sure, let’s try it — it seems fun.”
The first year, Durrie said, “was small but successful, and attracted some really interesting and talented artists from all over the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.” The event has grown steadily ever since. After some restructuring at MRAC, Durrie took the reins in 2020 and now runs the festival with Jamie Karolich.
“Our mission is to build community among printmakers throughout the Southwest and Borderlands regions, to foster connections and partnerships with printmakers outside of the region, and to engage with our local community in Silver City through the diverse and accessible language of print,” Durrie said. “We strive to promote and advance printmaking through public outreach, educational opportunities, collaborative projects, resource sharing, artist talks, exhibitions, print sales and community conversation.”
One of the most popular events each year is the Steamroller Printing, where artists carve four-foot linoleum blocks that are printed with the help of a real construction steamroller.
“I think taking a fine art process and bringing it to the street is part of what people love about this event,” Durrie said. “It really demystifies the printing process and makes it feel accessible in an interesting and exciting way. Using a huge steamroller as the printing press kind of upends certain notions around art making and consumption, turning it into something that anyone can enjoy.”
This year’s program also includes a screening and discussion of a new documentary about the Press Room Collection, an archive of more than 60,000 original printing plates used in movie advertisements from the 1930s through the 1980s. The event will take place Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at the historic Silco Theater in downtown Silver City.
Workshops will run throughout the weekend, offering instruction in zine-making, wheat pasting, papermaking and other printmaking techniques.
“Some workshop instructors are selected by invitation, and we also accept proposals from artists and educators who are interested in teaching a certain technique,” Durrie said. “We really try to offer a range of workshops each year, to cater to different interests, skill levels, and budgets.”
While the festival attracts professional artists, Durrie emphasizes that it’s designed to welcome everyone.
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“All workshops are open to anyone to take — advance registration is required but no previous printmaking experience is required,” she said. “They are meant to accommodate beginners as well as more experienced artists alike.”
Families are also encouraged to attend.
“While a few of the exhibiting artists may deal with mature themes and imagery in their work, this is most definitely a family-friendly event,” Durrie said. “Many artists will have hands-on demos in their booths, the steamroller printing is a really fun activity that the whole family can enjoy, and we will also have a kids’ activity booth, sponsored by the Silver City Museum.”
In the end, Durrie hopes attendees come away with both inspiration and a tangible piece of art.
“I hope folks can take home a piece of affordable art and a better understanding of the diversity and accessibility of print,” she said. “Print encompasses everything from T-shirts and stickers to fine art, so there truly is something for everybody.”
