The Provincetown Print (2026)

A documentary by Amy Davies with short talks & Q&A

Join us for a special screening of The Provincetown Print, a new documentary that traces the origin and legacy of the white-line woodblock print — an American art form with West Virginia roots, born in the artist colony of Provincetown, Massachusetts, in the early 20th century.

At the heart of the story is Blanche Lazzell, a pioneering modernist and master printmaker with roots right here in West Virginia. Her work helped define the Provincetown Print technique and remains a touchstone of American printmaking today.

Before the film, join us for a short introductory talk by Jennifer Boggess, a retired art professor from Fairmont State University and noted artist in her own right. She is a contributing author to Blanche Lazzell: The Life and Work of an American Modernist (West Virginia University Press). Boggess will give introductory remarks about the impact Blanche Lazzell had on not only the white-line print, but also American modern art. 

After the film, local artists and historians will profile two more West Virginians connected to Lazzell's legacy:

Wade Myers has a history degree with minors in anthropology and art and spent the majority of his career with the National Park Service at the Harpers Ferry Interpretive Design Center managing a collection of over 11,000 works of art. He will discuss his favorite West Virginia artist Grace Martin Taylor (1903–1995) of Charleston who was Lazzell's distant cousin and learned the white-line print technique directly from her, carrying the tradition forward as a professor and printmaker for decades.

Dr. Ali Printz has a PhD in art history, MA in contemporary art, and both a BA in art history and a BFA in painting from West Virginia University. She will discuss Patty Willis (1879-1953) of Charles Town, who also worked in Lazzell's white-line technique, adapting it to Appalachian subject matter.

Everyone is welcome to stay for this post-film discussion of Willis and Martin Taylor's work and Lazzell's lasting influence on West Virginia art and the overall arc of modernism in America.

Pay-What-You-Can

Unrated

Program length: Approximately 100 minutes

This program is produced by the Shepherdstown Opera House as part of our wide-ranging "Film + Talk" programming. Donations to support our film program, which operates under the fiscal sponsorship of 501c3 arts support organization Fractured Atlas, are welcome and gratefully accepted.

Many thanks to Amy Davies and the Provincetown Art Association & Museum for permission to screen The Provincetown Print. Special thanks to community member Susan Mitchell for her vision and help arranging for the pre- and post-film discussions. And always thanks to our wonderful partners at Shepherd University, including the University's Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities and Lifelong Learning Program.

The historic Shepherdstown Opera House is a cozy vaudeville-era theater that seats 100 people. Advance reservations encouraged to ensure seating. General Admission. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

Popcorn, candy, soft drinks, beer & wine available for purchase (no outside food or drinks please). Lobby, theater & restroom are wheelchair accessible.

Hearing-impaired? Download the app AudioFetch on your phone (iPhone or Android) for use with Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids.

More information available on OperaHouseLive.com.