CU Art professor to participate in international print exchange
- by Petulah Olibert: Staff Writer

Renowned artist and Cameron University professor Katherine Liontas-Warren was recently invited to participate in an international print exchange between North America and Ireland. The exchange brings together artists whose pieces depict social, historical and cultural perspectives and will seek to explore and educate, through the print medium, the relationship between land and socio-political issues.

A total of 16 artists — eight from Ireland and eight from North America — are expected to contribute to the print exchange, as well as a variety of universities and printmaking workshops.

Liontas-Warren, invited by colleagues because of her inspiring creations, viewed the request as a considerable leap ahead in terms of the acknowledgement of her art.

Apart from exhibiting her works in 16 solo shows over the years, the artist had also competed in 168 national and regional exhibitions. Though, she had been recognized at the national level, chances to showcase her skill beyond international borders have been few.

Liontas-Warren came across printmaking serendipitously. According to Warren, printmaking wasn’t her first love. Some may doubt the artistry of grinding and polishing limestone, drawing with grease and then etching out her pattern with an acid strong enough to eat through rock. Her chosen undergraduate major was Collaborative Art.

But while working hard at her illustration courses, she happened to enroll for a printmaking class and, as she put it, “ I fell in love with the whole process of drawing on rocks.”
Her prized piece to be exhibited at the exchange is a hand-drawn lithograph called “Winter Creek, Oklahoma.”

“I chose Oklahoma because I live here, and it is one of the best states to depict because of the Native Indians and the reservations,” Warren said. “I specifically used the Wichita Mountains as a concept because the mountains are very sacred and spiritual, and I felt that would be a wonderful representation of America’s beginning.”

As far as the print exchange goes, Warren is pleased with the idea that her work has traversed international boundaries.

“I was very happy that I was chosen. Many people are interested in my landscape drawings, so my work is already known nationally. But I am especially proud of the fact that this print exchange will give me an opportunity to showcase my talent on a much wider scale.”