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Made (By Hand): Reflections on Running a Press

Celebrate the opening of the new exhibit Made (By Hand) in the Midwest: The Contre Coup Press, 1979-2019 with a talk by Jessica Peterson, Director of the Common Press.

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September 4, 2025, 4:30pm - 7:30pm
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Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, sixth floor; Main Lobby and Kamin Gallery, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, first floor
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Open to the Public

Hosted by: Kislak Center and Common Press

Timothy Hawley printing on a letterpress machine

Celebrate the opening of the new exhibit Made (By Hand) in the Midwest: The Contre Coup Press, 1979-2019 with a talk by Jessica Peterson, Director of the Common Press, Penn’s letterpress studio. Peterson will reflect on her experiences running a printshop and a small press prior to coming to Penn and speak about her work at the Common Press teaching students about letterpress printing, binding, and papermaking. 

The exhibit focuses on the work of the Midwestern Contre Coup Press, founded as the passion project of psychologist and self-taught printer Timothy Hawley (pictured above).

Festivities will begin at 4:30 pm with a tour of the exhibition, followed by the presentation at 5:30 pm. Attendees will be able to print their own keepsake and copies of the exhibition catalogue will be available.

Featured image: Tim Hawley printing, 2016; photograph by Mercy Werner

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