My name is Lila Shull, and I am a new(ish) Minnesotan. I moved here late last summer from Tennessee primarily because I knew of Highpoint’s reputation as a community space and Minnesota’s support for artists in general. I have a BFA in painting from Winthrop University, a small liberal arts school in Rock Hill, SC. I received my MFA in Printmaking from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2019. My experience in the arts is wide-ranging; in the time between schooling, I was a lead press operator for a fine art screenprinting studio, and I also managed a design letterpress studio for a time. Currently, I’m teaching at the University of Minnesota and am lucky to also be the Community Programs Coordinator at Minnesota Center for Books Arts.
This is the first time I have seen a community print shop that has the capacity to offer all the primary printmaking techniques (lithography, etching, relief, and screenprint). From the minute I reached out about joining, I have felt like a member of the community. Initially, I was drawn to the equipment access because it is so rare to be able to work on these niche processes outside of academia. After joining, I’ve been blown away by HP’s rare opportunities, like taking classes, proposing classes, biannual member exhibitions, artist consignments, working memberships on a sliding scale, and sharing space with other practicing artists in a non-competitive environment.
Right after I joined, there was a call for workshop proposals, and I used it as an opportunity to shake off some studio practice cobwebs. I taught a six-week sharpie lithography class in the spring, which was terrific. I also taught a sampler session this past summer and have a couple more scheduled for this winter. I’m as involved as they will allow me to be. I can't overstate how amazing my experience has been so far. HP has served as a social lifeline since moving to a new city. I’ve been able to form rich friendships with the people I have met through the co-op, and it’s a privilege to make work alongside some of the most talented artists I have ever seen.
For me, I think the education programming and co-op membership are both really special. Having had the privilege of proposing workshops and leading some, this has been an amazing way to feel re-energized in the studio. I am excited to take a class at HP in the future and always have my eye on the schedule. Additionally, the co-op membership is great because there is a tiered payment system that includes pricing differences depending on your involvement. This has been helpful for me to continue to access the space, and it tears down some of the financial barriers that monthly memberships accrue. I hope HP continues to expand on these options in the future because it brings in so many different people who make the space more welcoming and diverse.