Frank Juárez

On a brisk Sunday morning last fall, the Sheboygan North and South High School art departments hosted their first collaborative community art project—a steamroller printmaking event. This type of event is usually organized by art institutions, artist collectives, and arts organizations, inviting printmakers from across the state to participate in this unique art experience that celebrates printmaking and community. As a high-school art teacher, the thought of organizing one was overwhelming and exciting. Luckily, I knew the right people to ask for advice.

The planning process began in the spring of 2025, with October 12, 2025, as the official event date. In Wisconsin, the weather is always unpredictable, so a plan B was always in the back of my mind. Art students from both high schools conceptualized their designs to be drawn on 2' x 4' x 0.75" (61 x 122 x 2 cm) sheets of plywood. Students had full agency as to what they wanted to create, knowing that the drawings would be projected on a large scale onto the plywood. Since the projected image was not to scale, students filled in the remaining areas.

It is essential to provide students with varied art experiences that will continue to shape their appreciation, understanding, and engagement with the creative process, community, and collaboration.

In total, eight designs were ready for the carving process. Students used power tools appropriate for carving hard wood. The carving process took over 100 hours, spanning several months. Most students had prior experience with the reduction relief cut method, were familiar with the printmaking process, and knew how to use the tools safely.

We were excited to bring this to the high school level so that our Sheboygan community could experience the art of printmaking. The event was divided into specific areas and overseen by high-school art teachers Dannielle Arneson, Kevin Bazan, Brian Sommersberger, and me. Dannielle supervised the hands-on printmaking area, Brian and Kevin handled the inked woodcuts, and I operated the steamroller.

The Sheboygan North High National Art Honor Society (NAHS) played an important role in inking the woodcuts and assisting Kevin and Brian with placing them onto the makeshift plywood template. Once the woodcut was laid in place, Okawara paper was placed on top, then a moving blanket, and finally a sheet of MDF (medium-density fiberboard). With careful precision, I rolled over the MDF with the three-foot steamroller. The finished prints were hung up to dry before being installed in our exhibition area.

In addition, Ampersand Supply Co., a local art store, offered LEGO printing, and we had a display of multicolored relief cut prints from our Art Foundations 3 students.

NAHS President Zeneddie Konesko shares, “I was involved in the art clubʼs steamroller printmaking event in October. It was such an exciting experience. I helped with taking the prints and hanging them on the fence to dry, as well as moving them into the school so people could view them. I liked this event because seeing our art come to fruition was so beautiful.

I enjoyed working hard with my friends and community. I also learned about a new way of printing. I had not known this was even a possibility until we did it! Talking to the community that showed up for us was heartwarming. I loved this event so much. I am so glad we all worked hard to make it happen!”

Despite the strong wind, the event was a big success. More than three dozen prints were created, and about a third were sold, with proceeds going toward both high-school art programs.

It is essential to provide students with varied art experiences that will continue to shape their appreciation, understanding, and engagement with the creative process, community, and collaboration.

The event would not be possible without the support of North High’s administration, Michael Lubach, Ben Gasper, Ampersand Supply Co., Sargento, and The Thai Express food truck.

This event was supported by a grant from the Sheboygan Area School District and Utely Education Foundation.

Frank Juárez is editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine, art department chair at Sheboygan North High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and publisher of Artdose magazine. fjuarez@schoolartsmagazine.com

Steamroller Printmaking: Collaboration in Action