Greeley printmaking artist hopes to foster community while spreading the art of the people with her studio, Wonderhand

Johanna Mueller aims to expand access to printmaking while building community in Greeley. Courtesy photo.

By Dan England

Johanna Mueller loved working with heavy machinery. But what sold her on printmaking was the community around it. 

“In many visual arts, you are alone in your studio,” said Mueller, 41. “But printmaking is geared toward the community.” 

That’s partly because of practicality. Printing presses are expensive, so artists need to share the equipment, much like how those who work in pottery use a community kiln. But that also fosters collaboration, Mueller said. Printmakers tend to critique each other’s work, offer technical tips and even delve into their own secrets. 

This is why Mueller felt a calling to offer the business she owns with her husband, Stan Scott, as a community center as much as an art studio. She sells memberships for 24-hour access to use her printing press, but she also offers three monthly events geared toward encouraging community members to collaborate with each other as well as her Wonderhand Studio.  

"We wanted to share a bit of the energy around what we experienced with our community here in Greeley,” Mueller said. 

She offers an informal critique night every second Tuesday for printmakers as well as a creative networking session every fourth Friday as a way for businesses and artists to find each other and work together; Printmaking can be practical as well as creative, as they can make signs for businesses or flyers or any other material designed, as they say, to get butts in seats. Both of these are free and open to the public and offer a chance for Mueller to draw on her experience teaching at the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College. 

She also presents what she calls a Renegade Relief Class, a hands-on block printing class open to anyone who wants to try printmaking, from established artists to someone looking for a hobby to those trying to find their voice. That last goal is important to her, as she believes printmaking is more than just creating pretty pictures.

“We want people to use printmaking as a tool to give themselves a voice,” Mueller said. “It’s always been the art of the people.”

People use printmaking to protest or spread propaganda, Mueller said, as well as spread ideas and share knowledge. Her vision was affirmed through a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, for Day of the Dead celebrations. She saw paste-ups and printed murals championing the rights of women, indigenous people and the environment.

Mueller continues to work in the fine arts as a printmaker while running the business. Her artwork remains how she makes most of her money. Lately she’s exploring the story of climate change, especially in the American West. In the Denver area where she grew up, things are changing rapidly as a result, she said, and even burning. 

She emphasizes telling the history of humans through animals: Animals have no religion, race or creed and assigning genders isn’t nearly as important, giving Mueller an unlimited freedom to tell our stories without stereotypes, labels or narratives. 

“We are so ready to judge,” Mueller said, “but with animals, you don’t have that immediate identifier. They are just a lion.”

Learn more about Wonderhand

Wonderhand, located at 721 7th St. in downtown Greeley, is a working studio but does not have walk-in hours. You can make an appointment for a printmaking project and some consultation. Find more information on Wonderhand Studios events at wonderhandstudios.com. To see Johanna's artwork go to johannamuellerprints.com.