In 1962, Los Angeles artists Connor Everts and Paul Darrow began discussing ways to improve the perception of printmaking as an art form. They decided that the best method to accomplish this goal would be to improve exhibition opportunities, educate the public, and popularize printmaking as an art form. They received support and encouragement from Ken Ross, of the newly formed Los Angeles Arts Commission, and Ebria Feinblatt of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. They were joined by artists Leonard Edmondson, June Wayne, Ynez Johnston, Guy MacCoy, Dick Swift and others to form the Los Angeles Printmaking Society.
Within a year, by-laws were drawn up and LAPS was incorporated as a non-profit organization. The organization began with thirty local members. In the early years LAPS was fortunate to have the support a wonderful patron, Esther Lewis, who generously donated studio and gallery space on the second and third floors at 818 Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. At that time LAPS was truly a cooperative organization providing various services, including gallery and studio space to its members.
Over the years, the local LAPS group has expanded and now is an international society of well over 400 artist/printmakers from all across the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and Egypt. New applicants are juried in each year by distinguished jurors: fellow artists, curators, educators and collectors. In addition, LAPS offers Associate, Student, and Patron memberships.
In 1973 the first "LAPS National Print Exhibition" was held at the Municipal Art Gallery in Barnsdall Park. James Brown, director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, juried it. One hundred and eleven works were selected from 800 entries. The Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts at UCLA hosted the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth National exhibitions.
Since 1973, LAPS has sponsored a National Print Exhibition every two years with the Nineteenth this year. Unlike many other print exhibitions, LAPS includes recent work from the major presses that are so prominent in Los Angeles, encouraging a thorough dialogue of the contemporary print. Artists of international stature exhibit alongside local and national artists juried into the show. Many generous vendors, corporations, organizations and private collectors have been supporters of the National Exhibition, donating cash awards and purchase prizes.
In the past years, jurors have included Archana Horsting, Ruth Weisberg, Ed Ruscha, Nathan Oliveira, Ynez Johnston, Laddie John Dill, Henry Hopkins, Elizabeth Smith, Bruce Davis to name a few. In 1995, LAPS began organizing a consortium of galleries in Los Angeles to exhibit prints in conjunction with the National Exhibition.
Besides the National exhibitions, LAPS sponsors many member exhibitions and exchange shows. Exhibitions have been held, not only in Los Angeles, but also in Ireland, Korea, France, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, and other locations.
LAPS publishes a newsletter, Interleaf, and a journal, Newsprint. The organization continues in its educational role by sponsoring symposia, student portfolio critiques, and offering low-cost student memberships.
From the initial conversation between two artists in 1962, the Los Angeles Printmaking Society has grown and enriched the printmaking community beyond its founder’s hopes.