History of Highpoint Center for Printmaking

Highpoint Cooperative members grilling at our former 2638 Lyndale Ave.

Highpoint Center for Printmaking was established in April 2001 and is the only accessible, community-oriented facility of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Until Highpoint opened its doors — at 2638 Lyndale Ave in Minneapolis — broad public access to the printmaking arts was virtually non-existent in this part of the country. Highpoint is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the art of printmaking. Its goals are to provide educational programs, community access, and collaborative publishing opportunities to engage the community and increase the appreciation and understanding of the printmaking arts

Highpoint provides these opportunities through four focus areas:

Images of Highpoint’s current facilities

A Visiting Artists Program

The Visiting Artist Program at Highpoint Editions has been distinguished by those who have come to create and publish new work with the guidance and technical assistance of Master Printer Cole Rogers. Local, national and international artists are invited to create original work at HP Editions. Artists also present demonstrations, lectures and workshops for HP members, students, collectors, and the greater community. HP advances the work of artists by publishing prints through Highpoint Editions; presenting artists’ projects to a broad public through gallery shows, lectures and symposia; promoting the work in national print publications, and selling the work at HP’s gallery and at national/international exhibitions.

Educational Programming & Community Programs

Highpoint excels in creating hands-on printmaking experiences and educational opportunities for all. Here are some Education and Community Program highlights of 2007: Over 5,000 visitors of all ages and backgrounds attended HP classes, events, tours, shows and artists receptions. HP served more than 3,000 school age visitors during 2007. Hands-on printmaking classes are held at HP for students in grades 3–12. Over 65% of the classes are provided at no charge to students, and 50% receive transportation funding from HP. Five community-centered “Free Ink Days” served 650 neighbors in 2007. “Free Ink Days” are hands-on, all-ages printmaking events, offered free and are open to the public on select Saturday afternoons. Affordable classes and workshops for adults in a range of formats focused on intaglio, screenprinting, wood engraving, monoprinting and Japanese woodcut. Fifteen percent of attendees received free access.

A Printshop Cooperative & Emerging Artists Program

Highpoint’s Printshop Cooperative has served over 110 artists since 2001. The Cooperative is made up of a diverse group of 35 artists who represent different career stages and artistic interests. As Cooperative members, artists gain access to HP’s fully equipped, state-of-the-art printmaking facility, receive discounts on HP classes, and benefit from mutual feedback and support, encouraging individual artistic growth and a sense of community. HP advances the work of these artists by offering them the opportunity to participate in semi-annual gallery exhibits where work is seen by a broad public and sold.

A Gallery

The expanded HP2 gallery space gives printmaking a prominent street-level profile, gaining visibility for both artists and the community. It will showcase projects by HP Editions artists and feature exhibitions by national and international artists, co-op artists, emerging print-makers and youth. The gallery attracts artists of all kinds, as well as neighbors, art lovers and collectors. Also, new at HP2, a Print Study Room just off the main gallery will offer visitors and researchers a separate space to safely view HP Editions prints housed in the archives.

Having reached it’s capacity in 2007, Highpoint raised the funds needed to to purchase and renovate a 10,000 sq. ft. building at 912 W. Lake Street, in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. Ensure a stable future secure in a permanent home, allowing HP to continue its significant contribution to the printmaking arts and our community’s cultural life.

Construction of Highpoint at 912 Lake St West

Co-founders Executive Director Carla McGrath and Artistic Director & Master Printer Cole Rogers are building Highpoint with established reputations in, and extensive knowledge of the arts, education and printmaking. Prior to starting HP, McGrath was Art Lab Coodinator at the Walker Art Center (1995–2000). Rogers served as Print Shop Director at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1995–2000) and earned his Master Printer’s Certificate from the Tamarind Institute, NM.