The Pence Gallery hosts all-ages printmaking event
Inspired by an exhibit from local artist Manuel Rios, gallery-goers were invited to learn about all things lithograph
By PIPER AWEEKA — city@theaggie.org
On Sunday, March 29, from 1 to 3 p.m., the downtown Pence Gallery hosted an age-inclusive printmaking event as part of the 2026 YoloFest weekend. With community activities hosted throughout Davis, Winters and Woodland, this year was the museum’s first time participating in the annual Yolo County celebration.
As an addition to the gallery’s regular class offerings for Davis youth, the printmaking event was connected to the current exhibit from local painter, printmaker and Woodland Community College professor Manuel Fernando Rios.
Liz McGuire, graphic designer and webmaster at the Pence Gallery, explained how the YoloFest art class varied from typical museum programs.
“This is the first year that we have taken part in the YoloFest, so it’s a new thing for us, and we’re excited to be on board,” McGuire said. “We do classes like this all the time for children, and people keep saying adults would enjoy them too. We thought this was the perfect chance to do a class for both kids and adults.”
In addition to rotating exhibits from local artists, the Pence Gallery provides frequent educational opportunities for Davis youth. The museum’s Art Smart and Art in Action classes give children ages 5 to 12 an opportunity to engage with different art forms. Though caregivers are welcome to participate in these programs, the Sunday printmaking class was designed specifically with all ages in mind.
Katherine Klein, teaching artist at the Pence Gallery, placed stencils, sheets of paper and paint supplies atop rows of folding tables as she highlighted how the specific art form works.
“It’s very similar to creating a stamp,” Klein said. “In this case, we’re doing simple printmaking, just on foam plates. Of course, there are different ways to do it, but it’s creating an image that can be replicated multiple times.”
With Manuel Rios’ current Pence exhibit titled “When they reminisce over you,” Klein highlighted how the Sunday class relates to the artist’s depictions of Chicano heritage.
“Today’s printmaking workshop is for everybody who wants to come and enjoy the process of printmaking inspired by Manuel Rios’ show,” Klein said. “He himself started out as a screen printer and has printmaking elements in his paintings.”
In offering the adult community an opportunity to engage in a program normally reserved for children, Klein discussed how the YoloFest event further stimulates artistic interest in the Davis community.
“The Art in Action programs and the family programs are usually more seasonally related,” Klein said. “[All-age events] definitely bring in families and youth that maybe wouldn’t have ordinarily come in and [...] looked at the gallery space.”
Emily Schlickman, an associate professor of landscape architecture and environmental design at UC Davis, described her familiarity with the event as well as her sustained admiration for the Pence Gallery.
“I found out about YoloFest, looked at all of the activities, saw that this one was in town and thought the kids would really enjoy it,” Schlickman said. “You really don’t see a lot of galleries having so many activities for children, and I feel like that’s what’s so great about the Pence.”
Attentively watching her daughter run back and forth collecting printmaking supplies, Schlickman emphasized her interest in the class and the other events hosted by the museum.
“It was really amazing to hear about the whole printmaking process and to get inspired by the show downstairs,” Schlickman said. “I’m a big fan of the Pence and appreciate all of their workshops. It really brings people together. They also have really great artist talks, and it’s amazing to have this downtown.”
With hopes of hosting more age-inclusive events, Klein highlighted the vital role that the community’s financial support provides.
“There was talk about having some adult workshops in celebration of the Pence[’s] 50th birthday,” Klein said. “Unfortunately, the funding wasn’t available to make those possible.”
With an entire webpage dedicated to opportunities for financially supporting the Pence Gallery, donation options range from sponsoring exhibits, purchasing a brick in the museum walkway or giving money directly.
As adults and children lined the tables of the Pence art studio, Klein emphasized the significance that one particular fundraising event has on the Pence’s ability to host similar events in the future.
“The Big Day of Giving is coming up in May,” Klein said. “We’re hopeful that we’ll get enough funding to be able to offer some more classes, both for adults [and] also all-age workshops too.”
As patrons continued to arrive for the YoloFest printmaking class, the Pence Gallery remains a space where the Davis community can foster an appreciation for artistic learning. Though there have been no announcements about other upcoming all-age events, the museum website is frequently updated to provide information about future exhibits, events and donation opportunities.
tten by: Piper Aweeka — city@theaggie.Wriorg