Francis Pavy opens Reduction Printing workshop Part 1 at Basin Arts
Cold Winds and Warm Ink with Francis Pavy
LAFAYETTE, LA — Despite record-low temperatures, 23 local artists and enthusiasts gathered in downtown Lafayette on January 31, 2026, to launch the Relief Printing Workshop Series. The program is a central component of the Leading Edge Residency, featuring a masterclass led by renowned Louisiana artist Francis Pavy.
The debut session, titled Foundations, Single-Color Relief, and Safety, focused on the technical transition from conceptual design to physical carving.
The workshop provided an intensive introduction to the mechanics of printmaking. Under Pavy’s direction, participants moved beyond digital design to engage with the tactile requirements of relief printing.
The curriculum for Session 1 covered four primary technical pillars:
Precision and Tool Safety: Proper handling of carving instruments to ensure both safety and fluid execution.
The Architecture of the Cut: Techniques for translating visual narratives into physical relief on the block.
Ink Consistency: Mastery of single-color ink application to achieve a high-fidelity transfer.
Manual Pressing: The technical rigor required to hand-pull a clean, consistent final impression.
The attendance of 23 students underscores a significant demand for high-level artistic training within the Lafayette community. The "Many Roots" of the city were represented by a diverse cohort of participants, ranging from seasoned creators to emerging talent, all focused on the discipline of light, shadow, and subtractive composition.
This session marks the beginning of a multi-part series designed to elevate the local contemporary art scene. As the residency progresses, the cohort will move from these single-color foundations into more complex multi-stage processes and color layering.
The Leading Edge Residency continues to foster a sophisticated environment for traditional craft in a modern context, ensuring the continued evolution of South Louisiana’s visual arts heritage.