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Art & Archives at the Library: Exploring the Work of Robert Blackburn
10/23/23
By: C. B.
Robert Blackburn (1920-2003) was a highly regarded African American artist, educator, and master printmaker. Born in Summit, New Jersey, and raised in Harlem, he embarked on his artistic journey at a young age, attending classes at the Harlem Arts Community Center.
Blackburn's passion led him to the Art Students League, where he honed his skills in lithography and painting. In 1947, upon realizing that the community spaces integral to his career were closing due to a lack of funding and racial segregation, Blackburn established the Printmaking Workshop (PMW) in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Opened with a single lithographic press, PMW served as a vital hub for artistic exploration. It was open to aspiring artists worldwide to learn, experiment, and exchange printmaking techniques.
Blackburn was notably generous and supportive of emerging artists. His influence extended to the art community at large and included a rich body of abstract work, a role as the first master printer for Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE), and a lasting impact on the world of printmaking and education.
Making Impressions: Archives, Printmaking, and Robert Blackburn is an exhibition on display at the North Dade Regional Library, now until February 2024. The exhibition features artworks, archives, and documentation from international artists and students of the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop (RBPMW). While the exhibit is a celebration of Blackburn’s legacy in printmaking it also honors the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s history, which began 35 years ago when then art librarian Barbara Young and Blackburn collaborated on two touring exhibitions at the Main Library. Blackburn would later visit Miami to share his knowledge with the local community
Artworks featured in the current exhibit include pieces from the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop (EFA-RBPMW), the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Permanent Art Collection, and archival materials from both the Library’s Vasari Project archive and the RBPMW.
Views of the Making Impressions: Archives, Printmaking, and Robert Blackburn exhibit at the North Dade Regional Library (2023)
You can see more of Blackburn’s artwork, exhibits, workshops and related materials in our Digital Collections. Click here and begin exploring!