By Laura Michell
Two Sunshine artists are on a mission to teach more people about the art of printmaking.
Fandata Studio owners Mito Elias and Ana Rita Pires are hosting workshops on alternative printing techniques in the coming weeks to introduce the art form to more people.
Ms Pires said the workshops aimed to teach people new techniques and how they can create prints without traditional machinery.
“We want to abolish traditional forms of printmaking and encourage people to discover outside surfaces and print directly on them,” she said.
“The workshops will unlock unusual ways of making prints as traditional methods use heavy machinery that is not always accessible.
“We want to bridge the gaps between the medium and the majority of people and teach people things they won’t have been exposed to before.”
The husband and wife team, who both studied in Portugal, have been making a living as visual artists for many years.
They arrived in Melbourne from Portugal six years ago, moving to Sunshine almost five years ago.
Ms Pires said there weren’t many opportunities for visual artists in Sunshine, so the couple decided to open their own studio.
“There are more opportunities in surrounding neighbourhoods. We feel families in Sunshine want an arts hub and so that’s what we are offering,” she said.
“Fandata Studio is a place where we will deliver workshops for the community.”
The Alternative Printing Series workshops are on May 30 and June 6, 9 and 13 at 11 Sun Crescent, Sunshine.
Bookings are essential and a gold coin donation to the studio is appreciated.
Details: fandatastudio@gmail.com
