Local Business Spotlight: Wonderhand Studios

Despite the marvelous precision of modern technology–Adobe design software and laser printing, there is still something wondrous about the variation and texture that hand printing yields. Even though a plate or block can create multiple reproductions of an image, each print pulled from a press is a distinct original. This quality and a love for the tactile craft keep artists returning to the medium and it’s what owner Johanna Mueller hopes to share with our community through Wonderhand Studios.

In the heart of Greeley's Creative District, Wonderhand Studios is a communal print shop that offers various levels of membership, private artist studios, workshops, individual classes and creative events. The name, a play on wonderland combines imagination and the symbol or mark of a creator–the hand. Repeated throughout art history, found on cave walls and in iconography, the hand represents our humanity–we use our hands to make and to connect with each other.  

“I wanted to do something that would support the community within the niche of printmaking. Printmaking equipment can be expensive and take up a lot of space–it can be hard to start out or continue a practice after college if you don’t have access to it,” Johanna explains.

Johanna speaks from years of study and experience in the field. After earning her Bachelors of Fine Art (BFA) in printmaking from Metropolitan State University, she went on to complete her Masters of Fine Art (MFA), in printmaking at George Mason University, (GMU). Next, she gained industry experience interning at Hatch Show Print in Nashville, TN. Then after an artist residency brought her to Austin, she opened her own gallery there which specialized in handmade prints, ceramics and jewelry. Eventually she and her husband Stan (who she met at a professional printmaking workshop), moved to Greeley to teach at Aims and UNC. All the while she continued to make her own work out of her home studio. 

By 2018 Johanna had been collecting printmaking equipment for over 10 years and she wanted to share it. So she and Stan started looking for a building to convert to a studio. When they initially saw the listings they chose the property for its location and beautiful natural light. Only when they arrived for the showing did they see the newly completed “Courage” mural by Armando Silva and Wes Bruce spanning the front wall. It was sweet serendipity! Because as Henri Matisse said "creativity takes courage," and this venture for Johanna and Stan has required bravery–a bravery that is infectious and now evokes courage in all who are bold enough to explore a creative vocation in their lovely space.

The “Courage” mural painted by Armando Silva and Wes Bruce at Wonderhand Studios

by: Dana Buckingham