Walt Padgett was born in North Carolina, grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, studied architecture at Clemson University, S. C., then pursued fine arts studies at Florida State University, earning Bachelors, and Masters, of Fine Arts degrees in the field of sculpture. In 1983/’84 he made a bold move by taking a sabbatical-based leave of absence from his teaching position at Rogue Community College to pursue studies in Japanese woodblock printmaking, including training, and travel in Japan. During this time, the decision to make an adventurous two-month bicycle trip across Japan, documenting the historic Tokaido (highway), and the associated woodblock prints of Hiroshige and Sekino, the famous “53 Stations of the Tokaido”, became a pivotal point in his artistic career. To this day, Mr. Padgett continues to produce prints inspired by this travel, augmented by further research and travel in Japan.
Walt will be in the gallery for our Print Sale Saturday, 11:00 -4:30, and Sunday, 2:00-4:00, January 26th and 27th, demonstrating the traditional Japanese woodblock printing process. This demonstration is free and open to the public, all are welcome to join.
