The Lore Degenstein Gallery presents an exhibition of fine art graphics by several generations of African American printmakers represented by twenty-six artists. These works on paper have been brought together to show diversity of techniques and media from early traditional woodcuts, etchings, and lithographs to present-day processes using a variety of media, including digital. The earliest prints from the 1930s tend to draw from autobiographical subjects and images of familiarity with the artists' personal encounters. The later images eschew subject matter ignoring a sense of cultural history while they explore a range or experimental techniques that are more focused on artistic endeavors than historical ones. Present day printmaking techniques engage the artist into a dialogue with the medium, allowing the reproductive process to include collage, hand coloration, drawing, and even digital media, to mention a few, into the creative experience. The effect is exciting, dramatic, bold, and sometimes quiscent, cautious, or timid depending upon the mood and intentions of the artist. In contrast, traditional techniques describe and record while generating empathetic responses from the viewer based more often upon subject matter that involves narrative. We are appreciative of the contribution of these artists who have generously lent their work to this exhibition through the efforts of curator Cynthia Hawkins who also engaged work from the collection of the Kenkeleba House, a New York gallery specializing in African American art. We also thank the Charles B. Degenstein Endowment for its continued support for the programming and facilities of the Lore Degenstein Gallery. Dr. Valerie Livingston Offset Edition 12/30, William Jennings, Color wood engraving, 1938