After working for 20 years as a commercial illustrator and designer, John Amoss received his MFA in Printmaking from the University of Georgia in 2005. He is presently an Associate Professor of graphic design, drawing, and printmaking at the University of North Georgia. Amoss has studied traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking (moku hanga) in Tokyo and Vancouver, and has taught in Spain, Italy, and China. His work has been exhibited in Morocco, Spain, Taiwan, Scotland, Israel, Japan, and throughout the United States. Amoss is also an avid jazz pianist and accordionist.

This presentation will include a very brief history of the development of moku hanga concentrating on the artist’s and craftsman’s role during Hiroshige’s Edo period. This includes an outline of the traditional division of labor: the design, carving, and printing techniques, along with materials used for each stage of production. He will include a brief demonstration of carving on a traditional bench and creating a multi-color block print. Given time, interested participants will have a chance to create their own print in the traditional method.