McColl Center is excited to host BIG INK! Established in 2012 by artists and printmakers Lyell Castonguay and Carand Burnet, BIG INK (bigink.org) travels the country leading workshops and sharing large woodblock print opportunities for artists with The Big Tuna, a custom-designed, giant mobile printing press.
Once registered, participants can access an online masterclass led by Lyell Castonguay. First, you carve a design at home following BIG INK’s online master course. Then, you meet the BIG INK team at McColl Center to print your finished carving. Take this opportunity to work at an ambitious scale (from 24 by 36 to 40 by 96 inches) and see your woodblock professionally printed! Links in the class platform show you where to purchase the essential supplies, including wood and carving tools. If you have questions, Castonguay is an email away.
The workshop concludes with you meeting Castonguay at the McColl Center on 10/18 or 10/19 from 9 AM to 5 PM. You’ll learn proper woodblock printing techniques, including applying ink to the carving you created at home. By the end of the day of in-person instruction, you will have multiple impressions of your design printed on acid-free paper. Other participants will be present, providing knowledge-sharing and collaboration opportunities.
Castonguay brings a custom-built giant printing press to the workshop. Due to its size and strength, the press is affectionately named The Big Tuna. It is a precise machine that creates flawless woodblock prints. Workshop registrants receive three impressions from their carvings produced on the press.
No prior printmaking experience is necessary, and we encourage individuals of all skill levels.
Registration is first come, first serve! Join the fun by 8/4/2025
You can come out and watch artists print and join our printmaking community! Not ready to print? No problem? Come out and support members of our local creative community as they print their ambitious works. Learn more about printmaking, check out The Big Tuna, meet McColl Center artists. All are invited.
