January 12 through March 25, 2026
University Galleries
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
PANEL DISCUSSION & EXHIBITION RECEPTION
Friday, February 13, 2026
Panel: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. - James D. Butler, Richard D. Finch, and Veda Rives Aukerman in a conversation moderated by Morgan Price.
Reception and portfolio viewing event: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
All events are free and open to the public.
Laura Splan’s limited edition lithograph is included in “Collaboration in Progress: Normal Editions Workshop at 50”. Squint is a four-color limited edition lithograph print created in collaboration with Normal Editions as an Artist-in-Residence at Illinois State University. “Collaboration in Progress: Normal Editions Workshop at 50” is an exhibition that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Normal Editions Workshop, a non-profit, professional, collaborative print research and publishing workshop within Illinois State University’s Wonsook Kim School of Art. The exhibition features 50 prints created at Normal Editions by visiting artists, emeritus faculty, current faculty, and alumni. Artists in the exhibition include Laura Splan, Kiki Smith, David Wojnarowicz, Dennis Oppenheim, Kenny Scharf, Judy Glantzman, James D. Butler, Richard D. Finch, and others.
Laura Splan’s limited edition lithograph is included in “Collaboration in Progress: Normal Editions Workshop at 50”. Squint is a four-color limited edition lithograph print created in collaboration with Normal Editions as an Artist-in-Residence at Illinois State University. “Collaboration in Progress: Normal Editions Workshop at 50” is an exhibition that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Normal Editions Workshop, a non-profit, professional, collaborative print research and publishing workshop within Illinois State University’s Wonsook Kim School of Art. The exhibition features 50 prints created at Normal Editions by visiting artists, emeritus faculty, current faculty, and alumni. Artists in the exhibition include Laura Splan, Kiki Smith, David Wojnarowicz, Dennis Oppenheim, Kenny Scharf, Judy Glantzman, James D. Butler, Richard D. Finch, and others.
Normal Editions Workshop was founded in 1976 through James D. Butler’s vision for a contract print research facility that emphasized an educational mission for the students. The Workshop was established by Butler and printmaking faculty members Harold Boyd and Raymond E. George. (A complete history of Normal Editions is available on its website.) Richard D. Finch served as the director for 37 years, and Veda Rives Aukerman served as both the interim director and the director for 11 years. Normal Editions has completed: 163 artist collaborations; 313 editions/projects; three books; 57 traveling exhibitions; and 20 exhibitions sponsored by Normal Editions. Importantly, through their experiences at Normal Editions, students have collaborated directly with artists and master printers, created new works of art, and learned how a professional print facility functions. Many of Normal Editions’ projects with artists were supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council, Alice and Fannie Fell Trust, Harold K. Sage Foundation, Illinois State University Foundation Fund, Wonsook Kim School of Art Visiting Artists Program, and/or University Galleries.
The primary public event for Collaboration in Progress: Normal Editions Workshop at 50is a panel discussion with key figures from Normal Editions’ history. James D. Butler (founder), Richard D. Finch (former director and master printer), and Veda Rives Aukerman (former director and master printer) will participate in a conversation moderated by Morgan Price (associate professor and acting director & master printer). The panel will take place on Friday, February 13 at 4:00 p.m. and will be followed by a reception. A special portfolio viewing event will be held during the reception.
“Collaboration in Progress: Normal Editions at 50” is co-organized by Morgan Price (associate professor in the Wonsook Kim School of Art and Normal Editions’ acting director & master printer) and multiple members of the University Galleries’ team: Kendra Paitz (director and chief curator), Lisa Lofgren (registrar), Holly Filsinger (gallery assistant), and Kaili Stanford (student gallery assistant). This exhibition and programming are supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council and the Lori Baum and Aaron Henkelman University Galleries Community Fund.
