Printed Crankies

Crankies are illustrated scrolls in boxes with attached handles that are "hand cranked" to create a moving panorama, inviting the viewer to experience the images like watching a movie. These historic storytelling devices were traditionally used to illustrate ballads sung by traveling musicians as they performed through the Appalachian mountains. Carve blocks to print smaller "personal" crankies as well as collaborate on a single long scroll to create a shared experience.

$35

Jessica White grew up in Taiwan where she learned to love storybooks and traditional folk crafts. She now lives in Asheville, NC where she continues her studio practice and also teaches printmaking, drawing, book arts, and papermaking at Warren Wilson College. Her practice revolves around narrative relief prints, wood engravings, letterpress printing, and crankies. Fancy degrees she holds include a BFA in sculpture from East Carolina University, an MA and MFA in printmaking from the University of Iowa, half of a pilot’s license and half of a sailing certificate. Jessica is represented by Blue Spiral 1 Gallery and Horse + Hero in Asheville, and she is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and the Wood Engravers Network.