Dear Engraver,

Since 1994, a group of printmakers, especially interested in wood engraving, have gathered for workshops. They formed an organization called the Wood Engravers' Network. The group pursues communication, encouragement, and education in this historic, yet contemporary relief medium. One such activity is a bi-annual newsletter called Block & Burin. It features articles, events, news and announcements. Another feature of the group is an optional exchange of prints and related materials. It is a forum that we have dubbed a "Bundle." We have had thirty-one such mailings, with excellent member participation. We currently have 200 members from the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.

We have a lending library of books and tapes. We publish a Resources Guide which can give you the best places to find tools and materials. We have published a book of member work. A member exhibition of wood-engraved prints is available for traveling to any interested location.

One of our activities are summer workshops. We have met in various locations, beginning in Ann Arbor. 1997 featured a gathering of engravers hosted by Guy Debenham at The Pumphouse Art Center at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. In 1998, we met at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since 1994, we have met at the Augusta Heritage Center at Elkins, West Virginia (Davis & Elkins College). Noted engraver, Gaylord Schanilec and Professor Clifford Harvey of West Virginia University have joined Jim Horton and R.P. Hale in instruction. In 2000, we met in Northampton/Hadley, Massachusetts for a workshop hosted by Steve Daiber. We worked at the studio of Art Larson. Barry Moser, Dan Carr and Julia Ferrari were guests.

In 2001, engraving activities took place in Seattle, Washington; Vermillion, South Dakota, and Augusta at Davis & Elkins College, West Virginia. The 2002 WEN workshop was at the Hamilton Wood Type Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and featured Professor Clifford Harvey who demonstrated the printing of wood blocks from the historic GramLee Collection. And in 2003 we headed for Jim Horton's studio "Gravure Graphics," in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and visited Hollander's School of Book & Paper Arts. Featured artists were Simon Brett and Jill Barker from the UK, Rosemary Feit Covey from Alexandria, VA, and Judith Jaidinger from Chicago. The 2004 Summer workshop was hosted by Professor Bill Myers at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and the 2005 workshop took place at The Palace of the Governors Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico, hosted by Lezle Williams and Mary Thompson. The 2007 workshop was hosted by Kathee Kiesselbach split between her Frank Lloyd Wright-style home in Niles, Michigan, and The Box Factory For The Arts, in St. Joseph, Michigan. In 2008 Augusta, West Virginia at Davis & Elkins College was the location. As of 2012 we are still meeting!

We want you to know that we are in existence and would welcome your membership. Please submit the application below and we will put you on our mailing list. See application for details and dues. We will put you on the list for the next Bundle. Our mailings are twice a year; January and July.

We hope to hear from you.

To join, please click here for the application form.