My friend, Arley-Rose Torsone is a monster graphic designer, font maker, sign painter, letterpress printer, musician, and fine artist. She took a little jewelry making class at Penland last summer. As all her classmates lost themselves in earring findings and brooch clasps, Arley went nuts scrounging for scrap metal and banging it into letter form sculptures. Starting this Thursday night, January 27, these magnificent alphabet wonders can be seen at Craftland in Providence, along with many other pieces of Arley's art. I guarantee they will make you smile and look at letters in a new way. Arley has a twinkle in almost everything she does and has the following to say about her work-
"The thing I like about type is that each letter is like a person. They each have their own quirky way of existing, and yet they still seem to function properly. I like the way they fit and flirt with each other like capoeira dancers... or sometimes stand next to each other like strangers waiting in line at the DMV. I like to explore the wild world of type through letterpress, drawing, painting, digital type design and three-dimensional sculpture."
Opening reception January 27th, 5-8 pm and will run through February 26. For more info go here.
Ever dream of learning how to make your own letterpress business cards? Or create a series of silk screened posters Paul Rand would give the thumbs up to? Oooo, oooo I know, wallpaper for your bedroom that will make you wake up smiling? If you're lucky to live near Providence now you can, at the incredibly well appointed and affordable AS220 community print shop. Morgan Calderini, a RISD grad, balloonist and Vista volunteer, is the resourceful, talented and tenacious artist that conceived and brought the shop to fruition. Morgan and her team of tireless volunteers, have been working their tales off and tonight is the grand opening party in AS220's newly renovated Mercantile building from 6-8. For details on classes, schedules and what you'll see tonight go to their site here.
Images are from the top, Morgan Calderini, some of the print shop members, a recent installation of Morgan's and a sample of letterpress designed By Arley-Rose Torsone printed at the print shop.
