Missouri artist exhibits printmaking at Campbellsville University

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Tori Christgen demonstrates the art of printmaking at the Susan Kirkland Tesseneer Art Studio. Her exhibit is at the Pence-Chowning Art Gallery through Oct. 2.

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (09/21/2016)(readMedia)-- Artist Tori Christgen traveled all the way from Missouri to give art students at Campbellsville University a demonstration on printmaking.

Her exhibit on printmaking is at Campbellsville University Pence-Chowning Art Gallery through Oct. 2. The art gallery is located at 205 University Drive, Campbellsville.

It is open during the following hours: Mondays, 9 a.m. until 5:50 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. until 5:50 p.m. except 12 to 12:50 p.m. and 4 until 4:50 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. until 5:50 p.m. and closed from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

The public is invited to visit the gallery free of charge.

Christgen is an art professor at Missouri Western State University where she received her BFA in Sculpture. She received her MFA in Studio Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art. She teaches introductory and advanced art classes in addition to printmaking.

Christgen explained to students that while she values and occasionally practices the rules of printmaking, she typically gravitates toward more nontraditional forms.

"To break the rules, you have to know the rules, right?" Christgen said.

Her affinity for making prints originated from childhood when her grandfather introduced her to his printing press. Christgen said because of this, she was able of have all of her own personalized stationery.

Although Christgen identifies as an educator first, she enjoys participating in art shows and traveling to universities across the country to demonstrate the art of printing on paper and fabric.

Utilizing everyday items as printing materials is something Christgen specializes in, including bubble wrap, cardboard and bed sheets.

"You can make a print out of anything," she said.

Christgen said her inspiration springs from the feminine spirit and that most of her work strives to display the power and voices of women. She even has her own Etsy shop where she sells her work; a product line known as, "Badass Betty's," to indicate the empowerment of significant women throughout history.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Linda J. Cundiff, chair of the Department of Art and Design who is a professor of art.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 24 master's degrees, seven postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

Cutline for Photo: Tori Christgen demonstrates the art of printmaking at the Susan Kirkland Tesseneer Art Studio. Her exhibit is at the Pence-Chowning Art Gallery through Oct. 2. (Campbellsville University Photo by Jesse Harp)