A Professors Passion for Printmaking

Did you know that professors have lives other than teaching? Well they do. One professor of mine in particular has an unbelievably unique life. Peter Stoliaroff is not only an amazing professor, but he is an incredible artist, as well. How do I know this? Well, he has his own exhibit right now in the HT building on the Germantown campus! If you go to the HT building, his work is on display in the Atrium on the second floor. This exhibit, entitled “A Passion for Printmaking,” is on display until November 10.

The display is of the professor’s etchings. If you are like me and have no idea how etchings are made, you are in luck, because they had information on it at the exhibit. What I learned is that in etching, an artist draws out the design on an acid-resistant covered plate with a special tool. The plate is then submerged in acid which takes away at the parts of the plate that the previous resistant stain was. The finished plate is then able to be printed as an engraving plate would be.

When I saw Professor Stoliaroffs work the other day I was blown away. There were some prints with color, some without. Some large prints and some small. No matter what the print was of, it was truly mesmerizing. Professor Stoliaroffs passion for history and sociology are evident in many of the prints, such as the piece entitled “Re-turn of the screw.” As I looked around, I noticed my fellow classmates had the same astonished look on their faces. We had no idea that our sociology professor was a true artist. So I decided to ask Professor Stoliaroff about his work.

Professor Stoliaroff started print making over 45 years ago when he was caring for some Masons and used their left over linoleum blocks. He has dabbled in all types of art, but says he is a print maker through and through. Believe it or not, Professor Stoliaroff took his first etching class here at MC!

We are with these people for multiple hours a week, for at least three months, yet we know little about them. Take the time to get to know your professors; they may surprise you. And please stop by the HT building and see the many etchings by Professor Stoliaroff, I promise you will not be disappointed. If you want to learn more about this exhibit and Peter Stoliaroff, come to his artist talk next Tuesday, October 31, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in room 216 of the HT building!