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Agit-Prop at Common Press

Explore letterpress and screenprint art focused on social justice issues and created at the Penn Libraries’ Common Press.

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August 28 - December 15, 2023
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Fisher Fine Arts Library, first floor
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Open to the Public
A print on handmade paper shows two dark-skinned hands clasping; the arm on the right has a striped sleeve resembling bars. Text running along the top of the image reads: "We the women! We the women are the queen bees. So when you lock us up...you lock up survivors, providers, nurturers, grandmas, mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives."

The term agitprop has been used for more than a century to describe art and media created to influence public opinion. Building on the longstanding history of printmaking as activism, the Common Press letterpress and book arts studio brings visiting artists, students, and community members together to engage with important topics through print.

Curated by former Common Press director Mary Tasillo, Agit-Prop at Common Press sheds light on this powerful use of the letterpress studio, showcasing projects created over the past four years with themes of social justice, protest, and political action.

Common Press is a collaboration of the Penn Libraries, Stuart Weitzman School of Design, and Kelly Writers House.

Plan Your Visit

On view August 28 to December 15, 2023. This exhibition is free and open to the public and located on the first floor of the Fisher Fine Arts Library at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Penn faculty, staff, and students must swipe their PennCard for access. Visitors from outside the Penn community must present a a current, valid government or school-issued photo I.D. that contains an expiration date. Find more information to plan your visit.  

Featured image: Print by unknown student creator, Common Press drop-in workshop, 2020-2022