BFAPF VP Ann Shafer talks with fair exhibitor Jonathan Higgins, Manneken Press
Manneken Press is a fine art publisher producing original, limited edition and unique prints, portfolios and artist’s books by significant contemporary artists. Manneken Press is owned and operated by Jonathan Higgins and Sarah Smelser. Since our founding in 2000 we have worked with a range of American and international artists to create a unique body of contemporary prints that we offer to the public through exhibitions, art fairs and online platforms. Manneken Press currently represents more than 30 artists and our roster continues to grow each year. In addition to prints, Manneken Press has augmented our inventory to include drawings, sculpture and photography to better represent the full scope of our artist’s creative output.
Artists come by invitation to create original works of art in intaglio, relief, lithography and monotype in our studio, located in Bloomington, IL USA. The prints are made by the artists working in close collaboration with master printer Jonathan Higgins, and are hand-printed on our Takach etching press. We are committed to traditional, time tested techniques and use only the finest papers and inks to produce our prints. Manneken Press has exhibited these works at fine art fairs in Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, Boston, Baltimore, Houston and New York City, and in many galleries and museums.
Jill Moser: “Tyre”, 2019. Aquatint, edition of 20. 23 ½” x 20”
Judy Ledgerwood: “Primary Triad #2”, 2020. Monotype, 22 ¼” x 31”
Anna Kunz: “Flood Tide #33”, 2021. Monotype, 22” x 20”
Artist Gary Justis signing his chandelier monoprints at Manneken Press, 2017
Master Printer Jonathan Higgins printing a multi-plate print by artist Mary Judge. Manneken Press, 2016
Jonathan Higgins with Jill Moser’s “Chroma Six” and Rupert Deese’s “Rivers & Mountains” editions. 2019
Artist Judy Ledgerwood and Master Printer Jonathan Higgins discuss a monotype plate just completed by the artist prior to printing it. Manneken Press, 2014
Matt Magee: (l. to r.) “Plugs”, “Bugs”, “Drugs”, 2021. Aquatint, editions of 20. 21 ½” x 17”
Richard Hull: “Ton”, 2015. Etching and aquatint, edition of 21. 24 ½” x 18”