Film Screening: BLACK PRINTMAKERS of WASHINGTON DC

The Many Americas Series

The Many Americas film series celebrates the multitudinous identities, experiences, and stories that exist from Brazil to Canada—from urban centers to rural communities, from immigrant journeys to intergenerational wisdom. Through compelling short and mid-length films, we platform authentic voices that challenge narratives. Join us for screenings that explore identity and belonging, cultural intersections, dreams and resilience, and the evolving landscapes of our many Americas. This is a series that reflects on the complexity, diversity, and richness of who we actually are.

The Film

Printmaking Legacy Project® presents BLACK PRINTMAKERS of WASHINGTON DC

Producer & Director, Susan J. Goldman

Runtime: 28 minutes

Washington, D.C. has a rich history of Black owned printmaking workshops where artists thrived and formed community. Before the 1970s, Black artists had few opportunities to own their own studios and showcase their art. Percy Martin and Michael Platt’s story is part of a larger history. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 expanded the number of Black owned businesses. Martin, founded WD Printmaking Workshop in 1972. Platt established “Platt Studios” in 1989. These studios embraced a steady flow of emerging and established artists from DC to as far away as Jamaica. During a time when Black artists were denied access to the city’s galleries, museums and universities, Percy and Michael offered places where Black artists formed community, shared ideas, exhibited their work, and made prints. Percy and Michael, both teachers; Percy at Sidwell Friends, and Michael at Howard University and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) in Alexandria, VA.; were often among the only Black artists who regularly attended the Southern Graphics Council International printmaking conferences, taking information from demonstrations of the newest materials and techniques back to their communities.

Platt’s work focuses on the criminal justice system, slavery, Hurricane Katrina, and genocide. Michael, collaborating with his wife, poet Carol A. Beane, creates large-scale print installations and artist’s books, blending image and text. Percy uses traditional intaglio with computer-generated images to produce large-scale etchings of “The Bushman”, his personal narrative of science fiction combined with African mythologies.

Printmakers Percy B. Martin and Michael B. Platt, participated in pivotal political movements, having a significant impact on American art and arts education. This documentary provides personal accounts of their history, training, involvement with the development of print departments, studios, and their art.

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