Enough is Enough: Art Against Gun Violence

In the wake of mass shootings in El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH the Kohler Art Library is displaying prints from the Enough is Enough! Print Exchange portfolio. Created in response to the aftermath of the Margery Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL one year ago, twenty-three artists contributed broadside prints addressing American school shootings and gun violence. Each print poignantly reiterates a common theme: Americans must set aside politics and pass sensible gun control legislation to help prevent further senseless violence. The preface to the portfolio reads:

“As artists and printers, we created this print exchange to visually address the issue of gun violence, the sale of assault weapons in the United States, and the devastation and fear the problem has brought upon the citizens of this country.”

Ellen Knudson of Crooked Letter Press, Gainesville, FL and Lisa Beth Robinson of Somnambulist Tango Press, Greenville, NC organized this print portfolio collaboration to benefit the non-profit gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. Contributors Lisa Beth Robinson (Somnambulist Tango Press) and Jeff Morin (sailorBOYpress) are both alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Art. Printed in an edition of 47 copies, the twenty-two 11” x 14” prints feature text and images imprinted through letterpress, linoleum-block relief, and silkscreen printing.

Participating artists are: Hannah Batsel; Mare Blocker (The MKimberly Press); Denise Bookwalter (Small Craft Advisory Press); Brian Borchardt & Jeffrey Morin (Seven Hills Press & sailorBOYpress); Mary C. Bruno (Bruno Press); Dan Elliott (Pieces of Craft); Bridget Elmer (Flatbed Splendor Press); Jarred Elrod (Jet Pilot Designs); Caren Heft (Arcadian Press); Josh Hockensmith (Blue Bluer Books); Andrew Huot (Big River Bindery); Molly Kempson (Spotty Boy Press); Ellen Knudson (Crooked Letter Press); Craig Malmrose (Trade Union Press); Emily Martin (Naughty Dog Press); Penny McElroy (Five & Dime Press); Jessica Peterson (Paper Souvenir Press); Lisa Beth Robinson (Somnambulist Tango Press); Jessica Spring (Springtide Press); Ashley Taylor; Emily Tipps (High5 Press); Eileen Wallace (Mile Wide Press).

The exhibit will be on display through the beginning of September.