Falling Back in Love with Printmaking: Holly Grobholz
You never know who will walk through our doors—or how their experience here might ripple far beyond our walls.
Last week, we had the pleasure of catching up with Holly Grobholz, a visiting artist who stopped by to pick up a monoprint she created during a Community Print session this summer. That session was led by none other than Chip Barchilon, one of the talented instructors for our foundational Printmaking II course.
We’re always thrilled to hear from visiting artists—about the creative energy they bring with them and the inspiration they take home.
By day, Holly works as a graphic designer for a cybersecurity software company in St. Petersburg, Florida. But outside of office hours, she’s a passionate multidisciplinary artist. “I’ve always been someone who’s making something,” she shared. “Whether it was doodling, crafting, writing stories, or playing music, I’ve been drawn to creative outlets for as long as I can remember.”
Her early love for analog creativity eventually led her to digital art, a path that culminated in earning a BFA in graphic design. Yet after years of spending her workdays pushing pixels on a screen, Holly began craving something more hands-on.
In search of a break from the Florida heat—and her day job—Holly spontaneously planned a trip to Maine. “I’d never been to Maine before,” she said. “I just wanted somewhere low-key. I found Belfast by chance, and I always try to incorporate something creative into my travels.” That’s when she discovered Waterfall Arts and its printmaking programs.
Not knowing what to expect, Holly signed up for a Community Print session. To her surprise, she found herself in a one-on-one session with Chip Barchilon, where she created her very first monoprint.
”It meant so much to me to find a space during my travels in Maine that mirrored my printing explorations at home in Florida. Waterfall has such an inviting and impeccably maintained printmaking space! I feel so honored to have been able to create there.”
Now back in Florida, Holly is diving into new printmaking projects, feeling refreshed and inspired. “Lately, I’ve found myself in a bit of an artistic rut, but this experience ignited the print bug in me again. It’s always so inspiring to experience the printmaking community in a new place. You have such a special community here at Waterfall, and I will forever treasure my experience and the people I met here. Thank YOU! “
Want to explore printmaking for yourself?
Our fall programming is in full swing—including the new Printmaking II class, perfect for those looking to build on their foundational skills.
Starting October 30, join us Thursday evenings in our professional print studio to explore new techniques, gain confidence, and make work alongside a vibrant creative community.
🖨️ Thursdays, 5–8PM | 10/30–11/20
Sign Up Now!