The Print Center’s first 100 years were marked by an abundance of important milestones, both for the organization and for the fields that we serve: printmaking and photography. This Timeline offers a chronological look at all the important episodes of our history, culled from our institutional Archives (housed at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania), and from the memories of the artists, members, staff and many others that have shared our history.The Timeline, launched to celebrate our Centennial, is an ongoing effort – designed to grow and deepen over time. We make regular additions to its content – if you have a suggestion for an addition, please share it with us. And check back often as the Timeline is updated frequently!
- July 17, 2017
Network at The Print Center: Puryear Connections
Network at The Print Center: Puryear Connections Sunday, November 12, 2017 3:00pm 5:00pm at The Print Center Network commissions four composers to write new music in response…Read More - October 16, 2014
Perry Oliver
“I believe most artists can remember the first time they walked into an art gallery with their work under their arm. Mine was at The Print Center. That was fortunate.…Read More - September 23, 2014
Amze Emmons
Amze Emmons is a Philadelphia-based, multi-disciplinary artist with a background in drawing and printmaking. His images evoke a sense of magical/minimal realism inspired by architectural illustration, comic books, cartoon language, information…Read More - September 23, 2014
Robert J. Morrison
“There’s no doubt that collecting contemporary art can be a wonderful passion. Maybe even an obsession. For me it has always been both, and I have never regretted the journey.…Read More - March 19, 2014
The Print Center Publication: Will Brown & Thomas Devaney, The Picture that Remains
The Picture that Remains, 2014 Photographs by Will Brown and Poems by Thomas Devaney with an introduction by Vincent Katz Hardcover, 8 1/2″ x 11″, 64 pages, 38 quadtone images…Read More - March 12, 2014
The Print Center Edition: Matt Neff
Matt Neff, Untitled, 2014, Archival pigment print facemounted to Plexiglas, 9 x 12 inches, Edition of 20Read More - January 1, 2014
Demetrius Oliver: Canicular
The project was funded by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. Publication of Demetrius Oliver: Canicular was supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and the National Endowment for the…Read More - March 12, 2013
The Print Center Edition: Lydia Panas
Lydia Panas, Ashley, 2013, Archival Pigment Print, 8 x 8 inches, Edition of 25Read More - September 14, 2012
Color Motion: Edna Andrade Prints
The exhibition and publication were made possible by special project support from the Estate of Edna Wright Andrade. Exhibition September 14 – November 17, 2012 Noted Philadelphia artist Edna…Read More - March 12, 2012
The Print Center Edition: Emma Wilcox
Emma Wilcox, Call Before You Dig, 2012, Letterpress, 8 x 10 inches, Edition of 25Read More - March 12, 2011
The Print Center Edition: William Earle Williams
William Earle Williams, Untitled, 1988/2011, Gelatin Silver Print, 10 x 8 inches, Edition of 25Read More - March 12, 2010
The Print Center Edition: Bill Walton
Bill Walton, Broken Wing, 2010, Etching, 1.5 x 1 inches, Edition of 50Read More - March 12, 2010
The Print Center Edition: John Joyce
John Joyce, Untitled, 2010, Platinum/Palladium, 2.2 x 2.2 inches, Edition of 11Read More - January 1, 2010
Philagrafika 2010
Philagrafika 2010 was an international festival celebrating print in contemporary art which included the work of over 300 artists at more than 80 venues in Philadelphia. The Graphic Unconscious was…Read More - March 12, 2009
The Print Center Edition: Sarah McEneaney
Sarah McEneaney, West Texas Night, 2009, Screenprint, 13 x 10 inches, Edition of 30Read More - March 12, 2007
The Print Center Edition: Sarah Van Keuren
Sarah Van Keuren, Coded Leaf, 2007, Gum bichromate and cyanotype, 8 x 6 inches, Edition of 54Read More - November 12, 2006
The Print Center Edition: Enid Mark
Enid Mark, Progression V: Iris, 2006, Polymer plate intaglio, 16 x 11.5 inches, Edition of 50Read More - March 5, 2006
Elizabeth Spungen: Our Tenth Director
Appointed in 2006, Elizabeth (Liz) Spungen’s tenure at The Print Center has been marked by programmatic and administrative accomplishments. She has developed numerous major individual and institutional gifts, among them…Read More - January 1, 2006
Taken with Time: a camera obscura project
For the exhibition Taken with Time: a camera obscura project, 2006, Ann Hamilton, Vera Lutter and Abelardo Morell were invited to Philadelphia to create new works using camera obscuras. (The…Read More - March 12, 2005
The Print Center Edition: Charles Burwell
Charles Burwell, Pink Ground & 2 Figures, 2005, Archival Pigment Print, 10 x 10 inches, Edition of 50Read More - March 12, 2005
The Print Center Edition: Elizabeth Osborne
Elizbeth Osborne, Morning Sea, 2005, Archival pigment print, etching with Chine Collé, 11 x 10 inches, Edition of 12Read More - March 12, 2005
The Print Center Edition: D.W. Mellor
D.W. Mellor, Gift of Shells, 2005, Archival Pigment Print, 8 x 10 inches, Edition of 41Read More - November 12, 2004
The Print Center Edition: Jill Bonovitz
Jill Bonovitz, Raveling, 2004, Etching, 11 x 14 inches, Edition of 50Read More - March 5, 2004
Michal Smith: Our Ninth Director
Michal Smith served as Executive Director from 2004 – 2006.Read More - March 12, 2003
The Print Center Edition: Paul Cary Goldberg
Paul Cary Goldberg, Two Lemons (Homage to Napoletano), 2003, Iris Print, 8 x 10 inches, Edition of 50Read More - January 1, 2002
Artists-in-Schools Program
As early as the 1940s, student education has been an important part of The Print Center’s activities. Since 2002, The Print Center’s award-winning Artists-in-Schools Program (AISP) has provided complete and…Read More - January 1, 2002
IMPRINT: a public art project
In 2002, The Print Center organized IMPRINT: a public art project, for which a series of temporary public art projects were commissioned from Dotty Attie, John Coplans, Susan Fenton, Kerry…Read More - November 5, 2000
Curator Position Established
Jacqueline van Rhyn was appointed as the organization’s first curator, with the support of The William Penn Foundation.Read More - November 5, 1998
Christine Filippone: Our Eighth Director
Christine Filippone led The Print Center from 1998 until 2003 during a new cultural era; one in which fundraising and marketing became essential for the well being of a nonprofit.…Read More - January 31, 1996
A New Name
From 1915 until 1996 The Print Center was known as The Print Club, and was one of many media specific, member-based clubs in Philadelphia, such as The Plastic Club, The…Read More - March 12, 1995
The Print Center Edition: Ieva Iltnere
Ieva Iltnere, Table, 1995, Etching, 9 x 12 inches, Edition of 20 Ieva Iltnere, Six Girls, 1995, Etching, 9 x 12 inches, Edition of 8 Ieva Iltnere, Evening No. 9,…Read More - January 1, 1994
The Print Center Publication: Jerome Kaplan Graphic Works, 1974 – 1994
Jerome Kaplan Graphic Works, 1974 – 1994, 1994 Texts by James A. Ganz and Rachel Kaplan Softcover, 10″ x 7″, 18 pages and Jerome Kaplan Prints, 1973 Texts by George Bunker and…Read More - November 5, 1992
Crossing Over/Changing Places
Crossing Over/Changing Places was a seven year project of commissions and exhibitions of prints produced by the Lower East Side Print Shop, Pyramid Atlantic, Rutgers Center for Innovative Print and Paper (now known…Read More - November 5, 1991
Gallery Store Opened
Initiated by Anne Schuster Hunter with funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts to transform the first floor back room into a retail area, in 1991 Kathleen Edwards opened The Print Center…Read More - April 6, 1990
Robert Cornelius: Abandoned Shoes of Philadelphia
In 1990, The Print Center organized an exhibition of works by the Philadelphia photographer Robert Cornelius entitled Abandoned Shoes of Philadelphia. Professor Cornelius is one of the founders of Pittsburgh’s Silver…Read More - January 5, 1989
Kathleen Edwards: Our Seventh Director
Kathleen Edwards served as the Executive Director from 1989 until 1998. She set out to make the organization as well-known within the city as it was nationally and internationally. She recognized…Read More - January 1, 1989
25 x 25, A Portfolio Project
25 x 25 was a series of printed portfolios published by The Print Center between 1989 and 1998. Any artist could submit a printed edition of 50 prints (each 25…Read More - November 5, 1988
The Print Center Residency Editions
The Print Center Residency Series, co-directed by Anne Schuster Hunter and Hester Stinnett, operated between 1988 and 1991. Artists Robert Cumming, Lois Lane, Winifred Lutz and Art Spiegelman were invited…Read More - September 1, 1987
Anne Schuster Hunter: Our Sixth Director
Anne Schuster Hunter directed The Print Center from 1987 to 1989. During her tenure she focused on returning The Print Center to its historical position as an organization encouraging printmaking and photography…Read More - January 1, 1986
Jane Landis, Acting Director
Jane Landis began working at The Print Center in May of 1984 as Assistant to the Director. In January of 1986, she became Acting Director when Ofelia Garcia departed for…Read More - March 12, 1981
The Print Center Edition: 65th Anniversary marked with The Philadelphia Portfolio
Published in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Portfolio was created in 1981 to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the organization. An edition of 100, it includes works by…Read More - November 5, 1978
Ofelia Garcia: Our Fifth Director
Ofelia Garcia was the Executive Director from 1978 to 1984. In 1978, The Print Center’s sixty year long practice of selling prints while having nonprofit status was scrutinized by the…Read More - January 1, 1978
Associated American Artists
Since its founding, The Print Center has actively sold the work of exhibiting artists, considering the sale of work an important way to support artists and build collectors, as well…Read More - January 1, 1977
The Fabric Workshop & Museum, Will Stokes Jr.
The Fabric Workshop & Museum (FWM) was founded in 1977 by Marion “Kippy” Stroud (1939 – 2015) after she had spent many years as a Board member of The Print…Read More - January 1, 1976
The Founding of The Photo Review
The Photo Review, a quarterly journal, was founded in 1976 in Philadelphia by the writer and photographer Stephen Perloff. The beginnings of The Photo Review coincided with a cultural moment…Read More - January 1, 1975
Phil Simkin, Move It or Lose It
In 1975, as part of The Print Center’s 60th Anniversary, the Philadelphia artist Phil Simkin (1944 -2013) created a performative spectacle that generated so much attention and controversy that people…Read More - March 12, 1974
The Print Center Edition: Michael Miller
Michael Miller, Ski Feeder, 1974, Color lithograph, 18 x 20 inches, Edition of 40Read More - November 23, 1973
Margo Devereux (later Dolan): Our Fourth Director
Dolan was the Director from 1973 – 1978. In addition to mounting an impressive exhibition schedule, she focused efforts on strengthening membership, particularly by encouraging non-artists to join and by…Read More - March 4, 1973
The Print Center Edition: Joe Goode
Joe Goode, Untitled, 1973, Screenprint, 13 x 17 inches, Edition of 75Read More - January 1, 1973
The Print Center Publication: Jerome Kaplan Prints
Retrospective exhibition of prints by Philadelphia artist Jerome Kaplan with accompanying catalog. Jerome Kaplan Prints, 1973 Texts by George Bunker and Ruth Fine Softcover, 10″ x 7″, 32 pages See…Read More - January 1, 1972
Brandywine Workshop, Lois Johnson
The Brandywine Workshop was founded in 1972 by Philadelphia artist Allan Edmunds, in a space that was originally a Prints in Progress workshop. Since that time, the Brandywine Workshop has…Read More - January 1, 1972
Ansel Adams Retrospective – First Major Photography Exhibition
Ansel Adams (1902 – 1984), the great master of landscape photography, exhibited at The Print Center in 1972. Planned to coincide with the artist’s seventieth birthday, Adams’ exhibition included 120…Read More - March 4, 1971
The Print Center Edition: Daniel Dallman
Daniel Dallman, Anthracite Winter, 1971, Lithograph, 30 x 22 inches, Edition of 40Read More - November 23, 1970
The Print Center Embraced Photography
The 1960s and 1970s was a time of transition in American art. Artists clamored for change, crossing boundaries previously drawn between art and popular culture. Photography played an active role…Read More - March 4, 1970
The Print Center Edition: Samuel Maitin
Sam Maitin (1928 – 2004) is one of the artists most closely associated with The Print Center. He was a celebrated printmaker whose work was included in at least 45…Read More - March 4, 1970
The Print Center Edition: Pravoslav Sovák
Pravoslav Sovák, Sovák Graphics Retrospective, 1970, Intaglio, 13.75 x 18 inches, Edition of 70Read More - November 23, 1969
Robert Grigor-Taylor: Our Third Director
Grigor-Taylor was the Director from 1969-1973. Grigor-Taylor introduced artists from California and England who were unknown on the east coast. In 1971 he presented a solo exhibition of R. B.…Read More - March 4, 1967
The Print Center Edition: Benton Spruance
Benton Spruance (1904 – 1967) was a very significant member of The Print Center’s community. His prints have been included in over 75 exhibitions at The Print Center, including five…Read More - March 4, 1967
The Print Center Edition: George Bunker
George Bunker, Seasonal, 1967, Color lithograph, 30 x 22 inches, Edition of 40Read More - March 4, 1966
The Print Center Edition: Romas Viesulas
Romas Viesulas, Since Then, 1966, Lithograph, 22.5 x 31.75 inches, Edition of 40Read More - January 1, 1960
Prints in Progress
In 1960 Prints in Progress, a program to bring together practicing artists and children through printmaking, was launched by Board member Walther “Billy” Wolf. Prints in Progress was always taught by…Read More - November 23, 1959
The First Print Center Publication: Leonard Baskin illustrates Blake’s Auguries of Innocence
Auguries of Innocence, 1959 Text by William Blake, Illustrated by Leonard Baskin Hardcover, 9 1/2″ x 6″, 20 pages In 1959, we commissioned Leonard Baskin to illustrate a version of…Read More - October 22, 1948
Ford Foundation Funds Building Expansion
The Ford Foundation provided support for a building expansion which enclosed most of the original garden, expanded the facility on the first floor and provided an second exhibition gallery on…Read More - January 1, 1948
Lessing J. Rosenwald, Print Collector
Lessing J. Rosenwald (1891 – 1979), the celebrated collector, had a life-long passion for prints and drawings from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. Over time, he gave over…Read More - January 1, 1947
Tea at The Print Center
The Print Center was founded as a club, much like its sister organizations The Philadelphia Sketch Club and The Plastic Club. In addition to offering exhibitions, the organization served a…Read More - January 1, 1945
Stanley William Hayter and the Artist’s Workshop
In 1945 The Print Center sent out a letter announcing a new initiative: The Artist’s Workshop. “This is not to be class or school,” the letter reads, “but to be…Read More - October 22, 1944
Berthe von Moschzisker: Our Second Director
In 1944, Berthe von Moschzisker, daughter of one of The Print Center's founding members, was appointed the second Director of The Print Center, a position she held for the next 25 years.…Read More - January 1, 1942
WWII Copper Plate Drive
The Print Center participated in many activities in support of the war effort and our troops. This included a drive to collect copper etching and engraving plates to be melted…Read More - January 1, 1941
Carl Zigrosser, Print Curator
In 1941 Carl Zigrosser was appointed as the first Curator of Prints, Drawings and Rare Books at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a position he held until 1963. Under Zigrosser’s…Read More - January 1, 1940
WPA’s Philadelphia Fine Print Workshop
During the New Deal era, the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project (WPA/FAP) engaged over 10,000 artists in communities across the US. In Philadelphia, a Fine Print Workshop was established…Read More - November 5, 1933
First Photography Exhibit
In its early years, The Print Center exhibited artworks in a wide variety of media. The earliest photography exhibit was offered in 1933, entitled Colored Photographic Reproduction. In 1958, the second show…Read More - January 31, 1929
A History of The Philadelphia Print Club
In 1929 we published A History of The Philadelphia Print Club. The book is authored by Dorothy Grafly, who had a long career as an art journalist, including as a columnist for…Read More - January 1, 1927
Brooklyn Museum of Art, Exhibition Exchange
The Print Center has organized dozens of traveling exhibitions that have visited organizations throughout both the region and the world. In our early history, we had a particularly close relationship…Read More - October 19, 1925
Mrs. Andrew Wright Crawford: Our First Director
In 1925, Mrs. Crawford was appointed the first Director. Earlier, the organization had been led by the efforts of Mrs. Laurence Eyre, the first President, Executive Secretary Mrs. Elizabeth…Read More - January 1, 1924
Annual International Competition
The Print Center’s Annual International Competition is one of the oldest competitions of its kind. The first Annual Exhibition of American Etchers was held in 1924 and subsequent competitions in the early years…Read More - October 19, 1918
A Permanent Home
Since 1918, The Print Center has been located at 1614 Latimer Street, in an old carriage house in Philadelphia's historic Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. The organization purchased the building in 1927 and…Read More - January 1, 1916
Leopold Stokowski Letter
Leopold Anthony Stokowski (1882 – 1977), the renowned conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, was an early patron of The Print Center. In this letter from 1916, he apologies to Judge…Read More - February 1, 1915
The Print Center’s Original Location: 219 South 17th Street, Philadelphia
The Print Center has made its home at 1614 Latimer Street since 1917, but our first location was around the corner, in a small office at 219 South 17th Street. …Read More - January 1, 1915
The Print Center was Founded
Originally founded as “The Print Club” by a group of Philadelphia collectors, The Print Center was established as an “association for the dissemination, study, production and collection of works by printmakers, American…Read More
