Printmaking is one of the oldest artforms. An analog practice, it has been in use for several thousand years through today.
Two floors of the Dilijan Local Lore Museum and Art Gallery are dedicated to displaying artworks by Armenian and international artists, some of which are excellent examples of traditional printmaking. These works were made using traditional printmaking techniques, such as etching, engraving, linocut, lithograph, drypoint, aquatint, and more. Each is slightly different in its process and outcomes, and the museum provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to explore, understand, and compare a variety of techniques.
After taking a guided tour of the museum, discover the artistic process behind the art of printmaking through a hands-on workshop. During the workshop, you will learn the specialized technique of transferring images from a matrix (i.e., a surface that can be manipulated to hold ink) onto another surface, such as paper or fabric. You will also learn how to differentiate various printmaking practices. All necessary materials and equipment will be provided to create your own print based on already-incised images on different matrices. At the end of the workshop, you will be able to take home your new artwork and a new passion for printmaking.
About the Museum
This museum, renovated in 2011 and easy to find off the main road through Dilijan, boasts a variety of collections of interest to diverse audiences. There are three floors, each with a different focus: the lower level has archaeological and ethnographic objects; the ground level displays Armenian artists featuring works of the Socialist realism style; and the second floor has international artists (predominantly European) from the 16th to 19th centuries. The majority of archaeological objects come from Dilijan and its surroundings, which have been inhabited since at least the 2nd millennium BCE—though some museum objects date to the 3rd millennium BCE. The paintings created in the Socialist realism style, which dominated the Soviet era and highlight the work and lives of everyday men and women, contrast strongly with the grand landscapes, historical subjects, and fine portraits found on the top floor.
