Whitefield – The Lincoln County News
Lisa Pixley stands in front of her 1890’s Chandler & Price old style Platen Press at Grand Army Arts Print Studio in Whitefield. Mary Dunn took the photograph.
Whitefield had a very busy Saturday. The library held its annual Fall Festival. It was so much fun to see kids paint their faces and nails as well as their pumpkins. Besides the many scrumptious looking baked items, the vegetarian chili was the best I’ve ever had and my husband said the meat chili was just as delicious. Rusty Hinges provided, as usual, a toe-tapping experience. The new QR code method of payment worked perfectly.
The fair was a great success thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers and everyone who attended.
My husband and I stopped at the Grand Army Arts Print Studio on our way home after the fair. We were curious, as many Whitefield residents are. The parish hall was built in 1871 across from St. Denis Catholic Church. Seeing an “open” flag we decided to let our curiosity win and stopped in to check it out.
It was warm and inviting to walk through a hallway with hanging prints and plants. Lisa, an artist printmaker, is a wonderful person to talk with and meet. Lisa showed us her studio and explained how some of the old letter presses worked. One was from (the last) century’s turn! These are beautiful, and she showed us how she had made some clever modifications to make them safer for her.
If you check out Grand Army Arts’ webpage, grandarmyarts.com, you will learn that Lisa is an accomplished printer and her husband, Christopher, is an architect who now co-owns Maine Cap N’ Stem Co. mushroom farm in Gardiner/Lewiston. Also, you will learn the fascinating history of their current home. Stay tuned for any updates regarding their plans. They are currently working on renovations, residencies and workshops, as well as master printing, tutoring etc.
Visit this place if your are a printmaker or would like to learn to print. We came away with a gorgeous card for our little girl. The card was made from wood and painted by hand on the letterpress.
Come in on a Saturday between noon to 4 p.m., introduce yourself and look around. Welcome Lisa and Christopher. Lisa, thank you. It was nice to meet and visit you at your print shop. Welcome to Whitefield.