The Clay Club Art Class 

Garrett Price created this lithograph, "The Clay Club Art Class," using a relatively simple method. He drew directly onto a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then chemically fixed the image before printing. The resulting print captures a scene of artistic production. The texture, weight, and form of the lithographic crayon allow for soft gradations of tone, creating a hazy atmosphere in the studio. This reflects the physical process of repeated mark-making. You can see the labor involved in the cross-hatching and dense areas of shading, a contrast to the smooth surfaces often associated with fine art. The print itself democratizes the artistic process; lithography made art more accessible. By focusing on the labor of artmaking, and using printmaking to distribute this image widely, Price blurs the lines between high art and everyday experience. This challenges traditional views of artistic genius, emphasizing the value of process and accessibility in art.