Southern Graphics Conference International with Artist Margot Myers

Margot Myers joins the show to discuss site a specific installation and what it’s like to be a volunteer board member for the largest printmaking conference in the US. She is an intaglio print artist working in Bellingham, Washington, running a studio called Runaway Press where she creates her work, maintains a thriving batik business, and offers classes and events. Margot is also a volunteer board member for Southern Graphics Conference International and is serving a two-year term as treasurer for the non-profit that runs the event. With the 2019 conference recently taking place in Dallas, Texas, I invited her onto the show to tell me about her work on the board and what it’s like to help stage the conference versus attending. She gives some perspective on this year's event and gives us an eye into what we can expect in the years to come. We discuss programming, and particularly how the conference strives to provide content for all types of audiences including for first-timers like her student who joined her this year. Margot also installed a large scale print-stallation on an outdoor staircase this year, and she shares how that experience opened her eyes to the dynamics of foot traffic and whether or not viewers choose to tread on the art itself. She is interested in how some passers by avoid walking on the work, while others are oblivious to what is under their feet as they ascend the stairs. This is a great episode for anyone who is curious about how art non-profits work, especially organizations that turn over their leadership every two years. How do they create continuity? Do they have systems that help one year inform the next? Steering committees for each new city change over as well, thus leaving each year to define itself in its local context. The next conference is going to be in San Juan, Puerto Rico and it’s the first time that the organization is bringing the event to that territory. That conference is being called Puertografico and information to participate should be available soon. More info about SGCI: www.sgcinternational.orgFollow Margot: @runaway.pressCheck out her work: www.runaway.pressMore episodes available at: www.theprintcast.comFollow the show at: @theprintcast