Home Podcasts Platemark: prints and the printmaking ecosystem
Platemark: prints and the printmaking ecosystem

Platemark: prints and the printmaking ecosystem

Ann Shafer, fine art prints evangelist, curator, and art historian 174 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

Platemark explores the world of fine art prints and printmaking, from etchings and woodcuts to lithographs and screenprints. Host Ann Shafer, a curator and art historian, explains how prints have disseminated images since the 15th century and why printmaking attracts devoted practitioners and collectors. The podcast covers the roles of artists, printers, dealers, publishers, gallerists, and scholars in the print ecosystem. Series one examines prints in museums and the market, series two offers a Western history of prints, and series three features interviews with people in the field. It aims to turn listeners into fans of this niche art world.

Episodes

s2e39 History of Prints Giovanni Battista Piranesi (part one)
s2e39 History of Prints Giovanni Battista Piranesi (part one) Oct 13, 2026 58:19 Step into the grand, shadowy, and endlessly inventive world of Giovanni Battista Piranesi. In this episode, Ann and Tru explore the extraordinary life and legacy of the 18th-century master printmaker, architect, and polemicist whose sweeping etchings of Rome and terrifyingly surreal Carceri (Prisons) series continue to captivate the imagination. Join us as they examine Piranesi's Venetian roots,
s3e118 55+ years of selling prints with dealer Daniel Lienau
s3e118 55+ years of selling prints with dealer Daniel Lienau Oct 6, 2026 01:13:08 Join host Ann Shafer on this episode of Platemark for a captivating journey through more than 55 years in the print world with Daniel Lienau, owner of The Annex Galleries in Santa Rosa, California. From his serendipitous beginnings at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Berkeley to studying under unorthodox educators like Janet Turner, Daniel shares a lifetime of wisdom on print dealing, coll
s3e117 exquisite wood engraving and illustrated books with Barry Moser
s3e117 exquisite wood engraving and illustrated books with Barry Moser Sep 22, 2026 01:15:15 Join us on this episode of Platemark for a captivating and deeply personal conversation with the legendary artist, illustrator, and master printmaker Barry Moser. Reflecting on a career defined by extraordinary craftsmanship and intellectual curiosity, Barry shares stories from his beginnings in Chattanooga, his transition from preaching to an ever-questioning artistic life, and the philosophy be
s3e116 framing deep dive with Thoren Vadala
s3e116 framing deep dive with Thoren Vadala Sep 8, 2026 01:11:06 In this episode of Platemark, Ann Shafer sits down with master framer Thoren Vadala of Make-A-Frame Atlantic to explore the meticulous, often overlooked world of picture framing. From the technical realities of custom woodworking versus manufactured MDF to conservation standards like cotton rag mats and UV-filtering glass, Thoren breaks down what it truly takes to protect and elevate a work of ar
s3e115 creativity and freedom with cultural strategist Laura Raicovich
s3e115 creativity and freedom with cultural strategist Laura Raicovich Sep 1, 2026 55:14 Host Ann Shafer talks with Laura Raicovich about creativity, resistance, and alternative cultural spaces. They talk about Laura's pioneering museum leadership, her upcoming fine jewelry line Istria Napoli, and her fearless advocacy for artistic freedom outside traditional institutional boundaries. From exploring the legacy of the Queens Museum to reimagining sustainable cultural infrastructures l
s3e114 Live from the McNay Print Fair: James Stroud and the Art of Collaboration
s3e114 Live from the McNay Print Fair: James Stroud and the Art of Collaboration Aug 25, 2026 01:04:51 Celebrate a milestone with Platemark as we record our first-ever live episode at the 30th anniversary of the McNay Print Fair. Host Ann Shafer is joined by master printer James Stroud (Center Street Studio) to explore the fascinating, high-stakes world of the print shop. From Jim's formative years with Stanley William Hayter at Atelier 17 to modern-day collaborations with artists like Markus Linn
s3e113 Parasol Press deep dive with curator Rachel Vogel
s3e113 Parasol Press deep dive with curator Rachel Vogel Aug 11, 2026 54:22 What happens when a visionary publisher collaborates with minimalist and conceptual giants like Chuck Close, Agnes Martin, and Dorothea Rockburne? In this episode, host Ann Shafer sits down with Rachel Vogel, Assistant Curator at the Addison Gallery of American Art, to explore the monumental legacy of Parasol Press. Rachel shares the behind-the-scenes stories of curating the exhibition Parasol Pr
s3e112 the business and heart of Lower East Side Printshop with Executive Director Marie Tennyson
s3e112 the business and heart of Lower East Side Printshop with Executive Director Marie Tennyson Jul 28, 2026 56:04 In this episode of Platemark, host Ann Shafer sits down with Marie Tennyson, Executive Director of the Lower East Side Printshop who shares her inspiring journey from starting at Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE) at age 22 to championing one of New York City's most vital artistic hubs. Discover the rich history of the Lower East Side Printshop—born during a 1968 teachers' strike—and learn how
s3e111 history, art, and social change with Jenny Schmid
s3e111 history, art, and social change with Jenny Schmid Jul 14, 2026 01:07:16 In this episode of Platemark, we sit down with exceptional artist, printmaker, animator, and educator Jenny Schmid for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersections of history, art, and activism. We explore how historical figures like Käthe Kollwitz and José Posada influence Jenny's contemporary practice, delve into her fascinating project "Disembodied Reembodied," and celebrate the vital r
s3e110 engraving currency and stamps with Tom Hipschen
s3e110 engraving currency and stamps with Tom Hipschen Jun 30, 2026 01:02:07 Ever wonder about the incredible artistry hiding in your wallet? In this episode, Ann sits down with Tom Hipschen, a former master engraver at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing who spent nearly four decades crafting the very banknotes and postage stamps we handle every day. Tom takes us behind the scenes of his extraordinary career—from his grueling decade-long apprenticeship and serving as th
s3e109 building a global print community with Reinaldo Gil Zambrano
s3e109 building a global print community with Reinaldo Gil Zambrano Jun 16, 2026 01:16:36 In this episode, host Ann Shafer sits down with Venezuelan-born artist and educator Reinaldo Gil Zambrano. Based in Spokane, Washington, Reinaldo is a relief printmaking specialist whose work explores themes of home, heritage, and the universal human experience. As an Assistant Professor at Gonzaga University and co-founder of the Spokane Print and Publishing Center, Reinaldo discusses his commit
s3e108 casting metal type with Val Lucas
s3e108 casting metal type with Val Lucas Jun 2, 2026 01:12:31 In this episode, host Ann Shafer sits down with Val Lucas, the artist and master printer behind Bowerbox Press. From her early shift from painting to printmaking at MICA to her current work casting custom metal type and ornaments, Val shares her journey through the tactile, meticulous world of letterpress. We dive into the technical evolution of the craft—balancing traditional handset type with m

Recommended