Base Camp Printing exhibition on display in Fairmont State’s J.D. Brooks Gallery

On Monday, August 8, Fairmont State University’s J.D. Brooks Gallery premiered an art exhibit by West Virginia printmakers, Base Camp Printing.

Base Camp Printing is comprised of two co-owners, sisters Emily and Betsy Sokolosky. The Sokoloskys are Charleston natives who run their printing business on the city’s east side. Emily initially established Base Camp Printing in May of 2016 and was joined by her older sister Betsy later that fall.

All pieces printed by Base Camp are created by an old-school printing press using traditional methods of setting type and hand-carving linoleum. The Sokoloskys use this method to create prints varying in size, in addition to items including buttons, cards, stickers and more.

“I was interested in having Base Camp Printing at Fairmont State because they were this interesting balance between traditional art printmaking and the way that they utilize old school linoleum print and letter press techniques,” said Fairmont State University Assistant Professor of Art, Kylie Ford. “I brought them in because I wanted to give our students a template of what being printmakers in West Virginia looks like, and because most of our students are female, I really wanted to give them an example of an awesome artistic female entrepreneur success story.”

The public Base Camp Printing exhibition will be displayed through October 7, with a closing reception to take place on Thursday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the J.D. Brooks Gallery.

Base Camp Printing’s work explores themes of consumerism, West Virginia culture and activism. For more information, visit www.basecampprinting.co.

Base Camp PrintingJ.D. Brooks Art GalleryWallman HallKylie FordEmily SokoloskyBetsy Sokolosy