History

Normal Editions Workshop was founded in 1976 at Illinois State University. James D. Butler’s vision for this contract print research facility emphasized an educational mission both for the students who would benefit from observation and participation and for visiting artists to experience new techniques and methods of expression through various printmaking media. Butler joined the faculty at Illinois State that same year and, together with printmaking faculty members Harold Boyd and Raymond E. George, established the Workshop which continues to this day.

Normal Editions' early days were both exciting and uncertain. Funding was a major hurdle and facilities were modest in size and scope. However, the results of the collaborations with visiting artists in the form of limited edition lithographs and experiences for all involved were rewarding and inspiring. Artists donated impressions from their editions to help support future projects and grant funding was sought to help stabilize the financial side. Students were eager to exchange ideas, skills, and experiences with artists and faculty.

The first director of Normal Editions was Steve Britko, who set a high record of projects, completing 16 in that first academic year. Britko left Normal Editions after just one year to pursue the opportunity to be Studio Manager and Master Printer at Tamarind Institute, University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Normal Editions' second director and master printer was Richard D. Finch, serving from 1977 to 2014. Finch had been a student of Butler’s at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, which had an excellent print program and contract workshop of its own. Finch truly embraced the educational mission of Normal Editions and worked hard to achieve the vision he shared with Butler of Normal Editions' potential for expanding appreciation for printmaking, collaboration, and creating noteworthy contemporary works of art. Finch initiated traveling exhibitions of works selected from a steadily growing archive to extend the audiences engaging with the publications. Normal Editions thrived under his leadership.

By the middle 1980’s it was obvious that the Workshop would benefit from the addition of another printer. Todd DeVriese, a recent print graduate student, was the first assistant director of Normal Editions from 1988-90. This arrangement enabled the Workshop to expand the scope of collaborative projects and the number of hours students could participate. 1990 was also the year that Veda Rives and Meda Rives joined the Normal Editions team as graduate students. The pair served as dual assistant directors during Finch’s sabbatical in 1993. Veda became assistant director in a continuing position in 1994, later becoming associate director and master printer. From the beginning of Rives’ time at Normal Editions, her goal was a book publication featuring Normal Editions' archive, philosophy, and history.

The 30th anniversary of Normal Editions was recognized and celebrated in the fall of 2007 with the retrospective exhibition and book publication of the same name: Marks from the Matrix: Normal Editions Workshop Collaborative Limited Edition Prints 1976-2006 and a conference entitled Frontiers in Printmaking . The conference featured multiple exhibitions, panel discussions, presentations, demonstrations, a keynote speaker, open portfolio with recruitment fair, exchange portfolio, and open studios in the community.

2014 brought the retirement of Richard D. Finch after 37 years of service and the appointment of Veda Rives as Interim Director.

Finch’s directorship includes the following accomplishments: 111 artist collaborations, 240 editions/projects, three books, 54 traveling exhibitions of Normal Editions publications, 14 exhibitions sponsored by Normal Editions featuring art by alumni and visiting artists, 20 Illinois Arts Council Agency Grants, and $166,515.00 in various externally funded, competitive awards.

Beginning in 2015 printmaking faculty Morgan Price and Sarah Smelser also participate on the Normal Editions Team as their availability allowed.

In 2016, Normal Editions celebrated its 40th anniversary with a series of six exhibitions in the Bloomington and Normal Communities.

While the global pandemic interrupted in-person interactions and therefore lithographic printing of editions, Normal Editions shifted to more independent work modes and digital communications for three semesters in 2020 and 2021. Woodcut was selected as a medium which team members could accomplish alone or in small groups. Ten artists from the Peoria Guild of Black Artists collaborated long-distance during the COVID-19 restrictions. During this period of adjustment to constantly changing public recommendations for interactions, Normal Editions continued expanding appreciation for print media, providing new opportunities for artists, and creating new works of art. The milestones of the 300th project with Quinton Thomas and the 150th artist, Alexander Martin, were achieved in 2021.

In 2022, Normal Editions celebrated its 45th anniversary with exhibitions at University Galleries, Milner Library’s Benway Exhibition Area, and collaborations.

Currently, Veda Rives Aukerman, Director of Normal Editions, leads the team which changes membership each semester. Team Members include Graduate Assistants with assigned hours, undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in independent study courses, and printmaking faculty member, Associate Professor and Collaborative Printer Morgan Price.