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  • Workshop

Open Studio Session #4: northern catalpa

Print for yourself a commemorative broadside about the northern catalpa. Part of the event series Printing the Plants of University of Pennsylvania's James G. Kaskey Memorial Park.

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January 27, 2027, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
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Common Press
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Open to the Public

Hosted by: Common Press

Session 4: Catalpa speciosa, northern catalpa 

Join us at the Common Press on Wednesday 1/28/27, 12 to 2 p.m to print for yourself a commemorative broadside about the northern catalpa  plant. Then, make sure you visit University of Pennsylvania's James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, where can spot this species as you wander the beautiful paths regardless of season!

The printing activity takes less than 10 minutes, so feel free to drop by anytime—stay for a few minutes or as long as you like! 

This event is free and open to the public. If you don't have a PennCard, you will need to bring a photo ID and sign in at the security desk for access. See University access guidelines here: https://www.library.upenn.edu/spaces/fisher-fine-arts-library/access-and-visitor-information

The collaboration between Common Press and Kaskey Memorial Park 

Common Press and Kaskey Memorial Park are collaborating to highlight the Park’s floral and fauna through a printmaking series of six open studio sessions during which anyone is invited to print a commemorative broadside for themselves using letterpress printing techniques. Each open studio session highlights a different unique species in the Park’s collection. The list of topics is curated by head gardener, Claire Thurston-Emmert and greenhouse and garden manager, Kathryn Butler. The broadsides are design by staff from Common Press. Participants are encouraged to come to all 6 events and build a print portfolio about Kaskey Park.

Plants/Dates:

  • Ulmus americana, American elm: Wednesday 8/26/26, 12 to 2 p.m. at Kaskey Memorial Park South Lawn Picnic Area (rain date 9/2)
    • This date includes a 30 minute walking tour of the Park starting at 1 p.m.
  • Asimina triloba, pawpaw: Wednesday, 10/14/26, 12 to 2 p.m. at Common Press  
  • Lindera benzoin, spicebush: Wednesday, 11/18/26, 12 to 2 p.m. at Common Press 
  • Catalpa speciosa, northern catalpa: Wednesday, 1/27/27, 12 to 2 p.m. at Common Press 
  • Mertensia virginica, Virginia bluebells: Wednesday, 3/17/27, 12 to 2 p.m. at Common Press 
  • Neviusia alabamensis, Alabama snow wreath: Wednesday, 4/21/27, 12 to 2 p.m. at Kaskey Memorial Park South Lawn Picnic Area  (rain date 4/2)
    • This date includes a 30 minute walking tour of the Park starting at 1 p.m.  

 

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