Collaboration with Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative was recently engaged by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to create prints for the upcoming Prevagen US Figure Skating Championship! This project was funded through a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Our prints will be shared with the US Figure Skating community as special gifts. Six of our artists presented sketches and ultimately three were chosen. Our cooperative of artists pitched in to wrap and package the prints. Concepts selected for this limited-edition relief print commission are:
(left) “Stars in Columbus” by Karen Albanese Campbell @petersmadre
(Top right) “Edge of Light” by Judith Steele @jcsteele614
(Bottom right) “Making Stardust” by Peter White @pkatprints
From Linda Logan, CEO & President, Greater Columbus Sports Commission:
“National sporting events are a fantastic way to showcase Columbus’ creativity and collaborative spirit. In celebration of our city hosting the US Figure Skating Championships, we entrusted local artists to create limited-edition relief prints celebrating the artistry and athleticism of this beautiful sport.”
In addition to the commission, “Thank You” for the swag! We’re looking forward to attending two special events to watch our top figure skaters in the country! Please go to figureskatingcolumbus.com for more information.
@columbus_sports @usfigureskating @artmakescbus #greatercolumbusartscouncil
About the printmaking process
Relief printing is an ancient process using a raised surface to transfer ink to paper; in this case the raised image was carved into a mounted linoleum plate. This limited edition relief print required two linoleum plates be carved, one for each color. The printing transfer was accomplished using a vintage semi-automated Vandercook Universal press. Two passes through the press are required to create the final relief print.
“Figure skating, to me, is one of the ultimate collaborative art forms. Athleticism, acting, story, costumes, music, choreography– it just amazes me that so much heartfelt emotion can be communicated in a short program, with one or two skaters holding the attention of an arena filled with spectators. My print “Stars in Columbus” makes reference to this being the home of the largest 4th of July fireworks show in the Midwest. There was a time when the Columbus Symphony Orchestra performed live for the fireworks show, and we would sit along the river and listen to the orchestra, watching the fireworks reflected in the river. Imagine if there had also been a skating rink right there, and each giant explosion was accompanied by a skater, leaping into the air executing their flashiest moves.”
Karen Albanese Campbell
“I imagine the freedom of flying above a sheet of ice balanced on the edge of metal blades is exhilarating for the figure skater! I wonder what sensation can even compare to their personal victory of presenting a spectacular exhibition of their physical strength and artistry under bright lights in an arena filled with hushed spectators? Is it joyful, like strolling through the Short North Arts District at night under the colorful, glowing arches? Is it magical, like witnessing the awe-inspiring Northern Lights?
I have attempted to convey this ethereal moment for the figure skater in my relief print, ‘Edge of Light’.”
Judith Steele
“I thought a lot about the emotion of figure skating, the performance, passion, and in particular the power of the music as it fills the stadium. In my print, ‘Making Stardust’, I hope to capture that ‘moment’, when the music crescendos, ice is flying in the skater’s wake, and their story is being spun around them. This moment captivates the crowd, as the music ends, flowers falling onto the ice… It is hard to look away as they shine like the Star they are.”
Peter White