Grand opening for Idaho State University mass communication experimental lab set Nov. 7

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Idaho State University James E. Rogers Department of Mass Communication Vis Comm Experimental Laboratory will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in Room 139 of the ISU Liberal Arts Building.

The new facility will promote experimentation in print and visual communication using traditional and new technologies in letterpress and digital media.

Former darkroom labs have been refurbished with the support of faculty development funds from the ISU College of Arts and Letters.  Professors Paula Jull from mass communication and Roger Schmidt from English, who submitted grant applications, will use the facility to further research efforts and enhance course offerings in the two departments.

Letterpress publishing has recently undergone a revival in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, under the general banner of the "small press movement."  Several dozen colleges and universities around the United States have begun or reactivated programs teaching letterpress printing in fully equipped facilities.  Letterpress courses are included in a growing number of degree programs, and many participating schools have membership in the College Book Arts Association.

The Narrative and Print class, offered for the first time this semester at ISU, is using the lab to launch this new resource for students and faculty.

Attendees are welcome to tour the lab, meet students and see examples of work.  The first 30 guests to arrive will receive a hand-printed keepsake commemorating the event.

For more information, contact the Mass Communication department at 282-3295 or robevirg@isu.edu.

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