“Printmaking Defined – Woodcut Relief Prints by Eugene Dalzotto – 1949 to 1961 runs through Saturday September 1st.
1st Proof – Self Portrait – 1949
The exhibit is a collection of early works by Dalzotto that spans his formative years while an undergraduate student at Indiana University, then later as a graduate student in Iowa and in Europe including some of his earliest work created in Bemidji as a new faculty member at the University.
Dalzotto earned a BA in art in 1949 from Indiana University. While working on his MFA in art history and printmaking at the University of Iowa, he studied under Mauricio Lansansky, considered by some as the one of the “Fathers of 20th Century American Printmaking”.
The work in the exhibit is from three consecutive periods and created in three very different places. The early works (1949) shown are from his days as an undergraduate at Indiana and reveal some experimentation with different technique and development.
“I Want….” from the Humanism Series – 1950
There are several pieces from the 1950′s that, 
in a letter from Dalzotto written to his parents dated July 19, 1950, he mentions finishing a small series of 18 images, while he was in Paris studying with famed sculptor Ossip Zadkine. They include a colophon or title page entitled “Humanism by Eugene Dalzotto”.
Two color self portrait – 1961
Bold lines and use of color are prevalent in work dated from 1961. Images reveal local landmarks along with flora, lakes, still life vignettes and another self portrait all created after Dalzotto moved to Bemidji in 1958.
Three wood blocks featured in exhibit
Along with the work by Dalzotto, three of the remaining wood blocks used for printing are on display with their corresponding print, a vignette of tools in a case and definitions of technique and materials help inform the viewer about the materials, language and process of the medium.
“The New Traditional Money Maker” – reduction relief print by Jason Clark
Work by artist and curator Jason Clark is featured in Gallery X2. Jason’s work is greatly influenced by his Native American Heritage. Born to parents of both Indian and Anglo decent, Jason was exposed at an early age to traditional native art. Growing up in a very rural environment, Jason was able to interact intimately with the wilderness and the animals living there. The Algonquin legends and beliefs that are the dominant themes in his work were taught to him by his parents and through books he read later in life. In 1988 Jason studied art in Hawaii with a Maori artist for a year. He has also studied at Boise State and at The University of Montana where he earned his M.F.A. degree in 2004. Jason has held teaching positions at Boise State University, The University of Montana, University of Louisiana at Monroe, and recently was an Assistant Professor at Bemidji State University. More about Jason – Biography Continued
Both exhibits will up through Saturday September 1st. Jason’s work and select items by Dalzotto are available for purchase. Shop and Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday 12 noon to 5pm and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm.
The BCAC would like to thank the Ben Franklin Frame Shop in Bemidji for their assistance with the project. This exhibit is also sponsored, in part, by a grant provided by the Region 2 Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature and by a grant from the Northwest Minnesota foundation. Thank you to the Estate of Eugene Dalzotto and it’s beneficiaries, Patrick Lochwood and Tom Saga, for their time and resources and for helping make the possible. We would also like to thank Jason Clark for his assistance in the selection of the work shown in the exhibit.
