Las Cruces artist teaching workshops at home studio

At her Black Bird Studio on Watson Lane in Mesilla Park, artist Noël Sandino is teaching various types of printmaking, including collagraph, monotype and relief-edition printing.

Some students use the studio’s two-foot by four-foot etching press, but Sandino also teaches workshops that exclude the press. 

Sandino participated in an annual free event called Print Day in May a couple of months ago, and invited a few people to her studio for the first time “to check things out and experiment with printmaking,” she said. “We all had fun sharing that day.”

“I’ve only lived here in New Mexico for the past three years,” Sandino said. “Prior to that, I was teaching in my home state of California. I’ve been showing my prints for many years and have sold many in local galleries. I always seem to come back to teaching, though. I really love sharing the experience and seeing what others come up with as they try out new ideas using a medium that may not be familiar to them. There are so many possibilities with printing that even can translate into painting styles.”

Sandino is available by appointment any day of the week for preliminary inquiries, she said. Her fee varies for each type of class she teaches.

“Typically, a private class would run $100 per session, which would include supplies,” Sandino said, “but small group classes are generally fun for those who want to bring a friend or two.” Her studio will accommodate four people.

“My goal is to expand the love of printmaking in Las Cruces and to eventually begin collaborative project ideas and student studio shows,” she said. “I am happy to teach anyone from 8-80-plus years old. I also plan on having an open studio day once a month where people can come use the press without formal instruction and pay a small usage fee.”

For more information, contact Sandino at noelsandino@yahoo.com. Visit www.noelsandino.com.