Everett art project leaves lasting impressions

EVERETT — Schack Art Center’s studios were rockin’ and rollin’ on Friday.

It wasn’t just about the music playing loudly or the people dancing and laughing.

The third annual Ink Stomp invited its participants to roll skateboards, tricycles, scooters, cans and bamboo logs over ink-soaked paper to make giant abstract monoprints.

Teens from Lynnwood High School’s life skills class and young adults with the Everett-based All Aboard special needs program took part in the group art project.

Sponsored by the Schack center, the Everett Cultural Arts Commission, Alderwood Community Church’s visual arts ministry and Countryman Signs, the event produced a variety of black, yellow and blue prints that are to be displayed at the art center until Oct. 31.

Plexiglas plates covered with ink were placed on the studio floor and then large pieces of paper were laid over the ink.

Mike Rouoway, 30, danced atop the paper with his All Aboard art teacher Shannon Danks.

“It looks great,” said Rouoway when he saw how his footprints changed the print’s patterns.

Danks thought so, too.

“Anybody can do this,” she said. “There is no wrong way to make this art. Plus, we have all fun people doing it.”

Cristian Benitez, 17, a senior at Lynnwood High, said he enjoyed stomping on the ink.

“It’s a really cool project,” Cristian said. “We have a lot of fun when we come to the Schack.”