Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. is a letterpress printer and bookbuilder based in Gordo, Alabama. At 40 years of age, Kennedy abandoned the traditional American Dream to follow his own. Unsatisfied with his comfortable, middle-class life, Amos traded in his computer for a printing press and his white collar for overalls. The subject of the Brown Finch Films documentary “Proceed and Be Bold!”, Kennedy is now a self-proclaimed “humble negro printer”. His letterpress work raises emotionally charged questions about race and individuality.
Kennedy will be in Champaign-Urbana for a 3-day Artist Residency at UIUC from March 1 – 3. During this time he’ll be giving a public lecture and a 2-day letterpress workshop at the Soybean Press. Details below.
As part of the festivities, CUDO is hosting a show of Kennedy’s posters at the Indigo Artist Co-op from Feb 28 – March 3.
CLOSING RECEPTION & POSTER SALE
Wednesday, March 3
6:00 – 9:00pm
Indi Go Artist Co-op, 9 E University, Champaign
Poster signing by APKJ, refreshments, cash bar by Boltini.
Live music by Noah Brown & Co and members of Mugwump Specific.
$20 for one poster, $15 for two or more!
RSVP on our facebook page: http://tiny.cc/APKJ
Sponsored by Barham Benefit Group. Hosted by CUDO and University of Illinois’ Soybean Press.
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VISITING ARTIST EVENTS AT UIUC
Monday, March 1
Lorado Taft Lectureship on Art: “Speaking Unconventionally: the Printed Works of Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.”
7–8 p.m.
Allen Hall, 1005 W Gregory Dr, Urbana
Tuesday March 2
Artist book production with Soybean Press and community volunteers. Email Steve Kostell at ude.sionillinull@lletsok for more information.
noon–4 p.m.
University Printing Services, 54 E Gregory Dr, Champaign
Wednesday, March 3:
Artist book production with Soybean Press and community volunteers. Email Steve Kostell at ude.sionillinull@lletsok for more information.
noon–4 p.m.
University Printing Services, 54 E Gregory Dr, Champaign
February 1 – March 3
A display of books, posters, and assorted formats by APKJ from the collection of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, along with a large selection of current posters, which will be for sale at the IndiGo closing reception on March 3.
Main library exhibit cases, ground floor
1408 W Gregory Dr, Urbana
Artist Residency made possible through support from the Allen Hall Residency Program, and is co-sponsored by the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, School of Art + Design, African American Studies, Media & Cinema Studies, Soybean Press, CUDO and “a friend of letterpress”. Lectureship is supported by the Lorado Taft Lectureship on Art Fund/College of Fine and Applied Arts.
