Featured Member: Ryan Perkins
NAME: Ryan Perkins
MEMBER SINCE: March 2019
PROFESSION/VOCATION?: I'm a designer, illustrator, and animator at the University of Utah's Genetic Science Learning Center; a great—and, ahem, great-looking—science resource for school-kids and everybody else.
Q0. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: II lived in a lil' 5-mile radius in Salt Lake City, Utah for my whole life until last year, when I moved to Iowa City to be with my sweet baby (also from Salt Lake), who's enrolled in the University of Iowa's Center for the Book graduate program. I studied sculpture, graphic design, and printmaking in college, and have worked as a furniture-maker and museum preparator, and spent a few summers hawking hand-made, screenprinted wares in craft fair booths.
Q1. YOU x YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO PS1: I heard through an Iowa City Press Co-Op member and friend that they needed somebody to design and print the cover of the 2019 ICPC member print portfolio, so I got in touch. It seemed like there was shockingly little vetting involved in giving me the cover job, but I came to realize that it was entirely typical of their optimism and faith in humanity. The Co-Op soon asked if I'd like to teach a screenprinting workshop, which I did, and am planning to do again in the near future. I've been helping to plan the layout of the Co-Op at its new location, and have designed and am currently building a bunch of spiffy, new tables that will allow many more people to attend workshops.
Q2. THE FIRST IMPRESSION: Was there even time for one? Suddenly, I was a member of the Press Co-Op, having hardly thought about it at all, it seems. The folks at PS1 are so kind and generous, and entirely serious about helping folks to succeed creatively.
Q3. THE BEST (AND WORST!?): I really enjoyed teaching my screenprinting workshop. It was my first time teaching an art technique, and it was satisfying to try and help folks with their approaches, and to maybe give them some new ideas too.
Q4. WHY THE LOVE!?!? Me and PS1, we've got similar goals here—I like the idea of a world in which all different kinds of people of every ability from all walks of life feel empowered to creatively express themselves. Does it mean it's always going to be "good?" No. But it doesn't have to be, in order for it to be meaningful and memorable and powerful. It's rare to find a place where inclusivity is so much a part of the idea of artmaking. Any little bit I can help with that goal feels good.
Q5. PS1 x FUTURE: The future of PS1 is so bright, you gotta wear shades. The new digs provide some much needed space and a visible presence, and I'm particularly excited for Iowa City to have an honest-to-goodness street-level gallery. I'm also excited to spend some late nights at the Press Co-Op, laying ink on the paper and looking for some magic.