St. Michael’s Print Shop 2012

 Cornelius was the artist in residence at St. Michael’s Printshop in St. John’s, Newfoundland, from September 4- October 4, 2012. St. Michael’s Printshop has been a fully functioning printmaking facility for 40 years.

Cornelius took advantage of this artist in residency opportunity to explore a less toxic printmaking technique,  successfully etching aluminum in a solution of copper sulfate, sani flush and salt.

Cornelius came prepared to etch images using soft ground, She successfully transferred  actual child’s dresses onto the plate.

Cornelius was asked to give a printmaking workshop while at St. Michael’s Printshop. She taught the alumigraph technique. This technique uses no acid. An alumigraph is a collagraph which is  covered with a thin layer of aluminum and then inked like an etching.  Eight local printmakers signed up for the workshop, including the chair of the board.

Working as an artist in residence gave her an opportunity to meet many of the local printmakers, including the Don Wright scholar that year April White and veteran printmakers Scott Goudie and Sylvia Bendzsa. She rented a room in the house of local artist Pam Hall. Another highlight of the experience was several visits to The Rooms Art Museum high on the hill in St. John’s.