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- SAGA or, the Society of American Graphic Artists represents a group of artist-printmakers each of whom is elected by a group of their peers. SAGA’s goal is to promote printmaking as a fine art through juried exhibitions, to publish a newsletter of the professional activities and technical achievements of its members, and to produce special exhibitions focusing on the varied stylistic, thematic, and technical possibilities of prints.
Originally known as the Brooklyn Society of Etchers, the group was founded in 1915 to advance the cause of etching which, due to its autographic and spontaneous nature of drawing onto a grounded copper plate, was perceived as more closely reflecting the artist’s creative impulses. This placed etching in contrast to other printmaking techniques at that time, which were more closely associated with commercial processes and less creative application.
Acknowledging the need to recognize the wealth of artists outside of Brooklyn and New York, the Society organized an international show with great success in 1922 and in 1931 changed their name to the Society of American Etchers resulting in the geographical expansion of their membership.
By the 1940’s additional printmaking techniques had gained respect and recognition as fine art. In the process of encompassing artists working in these various techniques, in 1947, the group again changed its name to the Society of American Etchers, Gravers, Lithographers, and Woodcutters. Shortly afterwards in 1952 the simpler, geographically, and technically inclusive name, the Society of American Graphic Artists was finally adopted.
The foregoing history of SAGA reflects an evolution of purpose designed to encompass artists of integrity, skill, and creative energy; to encourage and exhibit work in a diversity of styles and printmaking processes and techniques.
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