Peace in Print: 160 Artists Make Peace is the record of the making a collaboration woodcut print. Project Information Briefly, a Monumental Puzzle Print is a large design composed of "puzzle pieces", each of which is designed and carved by a unique artist under a common theme. The project director designs and cuts the wood block into puzzle-like pieces, then sends the pieces to participant artists; they carve their own small design and send the tiny piece back. Then the director assembles the carved pieces. The entire design is printed as a woodcut print after the puzzle is reassembled and finally each participant receives a huge print encompassing the entire design. This is the fifth such project and for as long as I have the energy, there will be many more to come. Contributions from each artist vary from delicate to whimsical to bold and, together, make each print as beautiful and unique as only collaborative puzzle-art can be. Each piece represents not only a unique style and design but a person, an artist, a unique individual, a fellow earthling previously unknown. Each piece loses itself and unites as a whole, the same way a single musical instrument perfectly melds into the harmony of an orchestral composition. Large, small, human, animal, literal, abstract, proud and humble...all together we make art in perfect harmony. Print Information Print Title: Peace Puzzle 2015: Monumental Collaborative Puzzle Print #5 Project Director: Maria Arango Diener 1000woodcuts@gmail.com Project Dates: February 2015 to November 2015 Artists: 160 artists listed following Type of Print: Woodcut Puzzle Print Size: 44 inches high (112 cm) by 120 inches wide (305 cm) Paper: Rising Stonehenge White, 8 sheets 22 x 30 (56 x 76 cm) inches each Block: Cherry Plywood, 8 blocks 22 x 30 inches (56 x 76 cm), cut into 160 irregular puzzle pieces approximately 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in diameter Ink: Gamblin Portland Black and Tom Huck's Intense Black Oil Based Relief Edition: First edition 160 print sets of eight prints each, untitled, unnumbered, unsigned, stamped on back with Project Seal. Print sets distributed to participants; additional sets and blocks to remain in Director's possession for exhibition and funding of future projects. Printed in 1000 Woodcuts studio in Las Vegas Nevada USA by the Project Director. The book contains introduction, history of puzzle prints, previous projects described with photos, process explained with photos, each panel picture with a legend, list of artists, and each of 160 artist's image with comments.
About the Author: Maria Arango-Diener earned BS and MS degrees in Psychology and Exercise Physiology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas before taking a variety of fine art classes. After a few years of honing her skills and amassing a body of work, primarily in woodcut prints, she is now a full-time artist in Las Vegas, Nevada. Maria Arango-Diener has been exhibited in several galleries in the Las Vegas area as well as the Las Vegas Art Museum, and has quickly expanded to regional, national and international exhibits. Maria's accomplishments include Best of Show overall Boulder City Arts Festival, Best of Show Award (Printmaking) in the Art Fest of Henderson and Tempe Art Festivals and purchase awards including works in the Springfield Museum of Art. Most recently works have been accepted in the prestigious Brand Gallery and Art Center in California in their annual juried works on paper exhibition, the Hunterdon Museum of Art and the 5th Print Biennial in the Marsh Gallery of the University of Richmond Museum. Her work is part of permanent collections including the University of Oregon, Spencer Museum in Kansas and the Princeton Graphic Arts Collection. Most recent exhibitions and artistic endeavors include: collaborative works in Geographical Divides, a Nevada Arts Council traveling exhibit; two works included in the Wood Engraver's Network 2014 traveling exhibit, most recently in the United Kingdom; a solo show in 2014 courtesy of the Clark County and Las Vegas Library District with various large collaborative multi-panel puzzle prints; an artist's residency and ongoing exhibit in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area; and a Best of Category Award and exhibit in the Celebrating Life 2014, courtesy of the Las Vegas Cultural Affairs.