New York Academy of Art - Community News: ARD BERGE (MFA 1997) and JOHN VOLK (MFA 1998)

Ms. Caecilia Wijgers, a promoter of Cuban
civil society, is presented with the
Palmer Prize, a lithograph by Academy alum
Ard Berge and printed by alum John Volk.

Seven diplomats were recently recognized for their outstanding service and work in advancing democracy by the Council for a Community of Democracies. It marks the first time an international body has honored diplomats for their contributions to the cause of democracy and human rights. Academy alumnus Ard Berge (MFA 1997) was commissioned to create the lithograph for the award and John Volk, an Academy graduate from 1998, printed the lithograph.

The awards, bearing the name The Mark Palmer Prize, named for a former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, were presented at a ceremony at the Vilnius Ministerial of the Community of Democracies. The Palmer Prize was awarded to diplomats from Peru, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Canada, the Netherlands and the United States. In addition, an award has been made posthumously to a Polish diplomat and special recognition was given to a diplomat from India.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK:

Berge was commissioned to draw the image and asked colleague Volk print the lithograph. Volk teaches printmaking at Minnesota State University and is the Master Printer at the Hannaher Print Studio in the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, ND. They collaborated on the print at the New York Academy of Art print studio. Using an aluminum lithographic plate, they printed a proof called a bon a tirer (a French term meaning, "good to pull"). Volk took the plate and bon a tirer back to MN to print an edition (55, with 10 artist's proofs) matching the bon a tirer.