Sara Triche, a senior printmaking major and member of Palmetto Press,
dries the fresh ink on a student’s redesigned shirt at T-shirt Night.
The Lion's Roar / Allison Crady
 

Ambient, synthetic sounds filled Clark Hall as students inked T-shirts and learned about printmaking through Palmetto Press’s T-shirt Night.

Although the student printmaking organization has participated in Art Night every semester since 2008, they have been increasing efforts to host events on their own. 

Everyone was invited to experience art in a new way last Thursday night along with snacks and a live performance from the ambient band Listen, Earth.

“We’re trying to present a fun opportunity for students hang out and enjoy making art together, getting cool T-shirts printed, listening to cool music and eating snacks,” said Amber Damare, president of Palmetto Press. “I think as an art student you really need to be connected to other art students, and with an event like this, it gives them an opportunity to be more educated about printmaking regardless of their concentration.”

Ernest Milsted, associate printmaking professor and faculty advisor for Palmetto Press, was a founding member of the student organization.  

“I think it’s important for students to get outside of the university to get an education, meet other students studying this same medium of art and exchange ideas,” said Milsted. “Not only does Palmetto Press bring the art department of Southeastern’s student body together, but it allows these guys to raise some money to be able to do things outside of campus.”

Money raised through T-shirt Night will be given back to the organization and the printmaking department. Monetary contributions will help the department purchase a letterpress machine and to fund members’ participation in the Southern Graphics Conference International, an annual professional printmaking conference. 

Palmetto Press members also attended a miniature conference with the printmaking groups of University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Nicholls State University to share art designs and techniques. Additionally, the organization manages Hyde Gallery in Clark Hall, where artists can apply to have independent exhibition showings. 

“We like to give the fellow art students an opportunity to host their own shows,” said Damare. “When you graduate, you need to have these options on your resume.”

While the organization has been established since 2008, they have grown more active in their efforts to share their designs, unite students and help anyone create a unique image with ink.

Rachel Davis, a sophomore graphic design major currently enrolled in a printmaking course, hopes the event will be a recurring one. 

 “I really love the illustration process of creating the images and the technical process of that image going on to a shirt, which is something people wear to show what they like, represent or stand for,” said Davis. 

For more information about the organization, contact Damare at [email protected] or stop by Clark hall on Wednesday nights at 5 p.m. for Palmetto Press’s weekly meeting.