Click here > Print Documention Form to find a printable form that is necessary to send with your print for the bundle contribution.
A note to all WEN members on bundle participation, and in particular, those new members that might be confused as to what and how the print exchange works:
As part of the twice-yearly Block & Burin (WEN’s journal) mailings, WEN organizes an optional exchange of original prints and related materials for members only. These two items together have been dubbed a “Bundle”. The bundle is a packet of prints, or a “non-digital” show that comes to your door along with the B&B. The original prints are not intended for sale or speculation. They are meant for people to share the joy of printmaking with others who know and appreciate what went into their production. Bundle participation is not mandatory for being a member of WEN, but you must be a current member to participate.
If you would like to participate in the print exchange, mail a total of 76 prints and a completed documentation form (see link to form below) to Sylvia Pixley. Our membership is usually about 125/130, but because some of these artists print by hand, slowly – giving away 76 prints, is asking a lot, though some do contribute enough for every member. How do you get the full array of prints? You do so by contributing at least 76 prints to a Bundle. In doing so, you are put at the head of the list when the stacks of prints are sorted into envelopes for mailing. If you never contribute (which there is no pressure to do so), you will get whatever is left over. That list is sorted by seniority – how long you have been a member. If you are a new member, obviously, you are going to be at the end of the line. But if you contribute prints for the exchange – you are at the front of the line! If you contribute prints every few years, you will getting just about everything.
Sometimes we are awed by the quality of the work. Sometimes we learn from the rawness of a “Beginner’s mind” as the Zen masters call it, that hasn’t been influenced by standard practices and shows the exciting marks of experimentation. “A print is the halfway point between a thing and a thought,” as Fritz Eichenberg once said. To hold it close to the eye, and see the artists intimate journey of creation is no small thing. In these days of digital imaging, it is a rare and valued thing…perhaps more so than ever. We are always happy to hear of sales and contacts that result from people seeing someone’s work in the Bundles, however, that is not the prime reason we exist. We know that giving away work is not exactly going to put food on the table (and certainly artists have to do so). WEN is just one place where, if you have something extra to give, with the spirit of “What goes around, comes around,” you donate. We are an appreciative audience. When you do contribute to a Bundle, unless you indicate that it not be used for exhibition, you more or less are giving people the right to show it to others in educational displays. If it were to be reproduced for commercial use, permissions must be sought. — Jim Horton
We do ask that the work going into a bundle is by your hand and not a photocopier or digital output. You may contribute brochures, advertisements or a prospectus. All materials are welcome as long as you feel it would be of interest and related, at least, to the spirit of wood engraving. We have received intaglio, lino and plank-grain woodcuts, which are welcome. Any questions, do contact us.
Print exchange deadlines are February 15 for inclusion in Spring bundle mailings and September 15 for Autumn bundle mailings. These are not hard and fast dates – send in your edition whenever you finish it. Sylvia Pixley who receives and collates exchange prints for the mailings will include your edition with whichever mailing goes out next.