Kutztown teachers, students describe campus "Print Fest" that engaged hundreds

Ben Hoffman, the high‑school art teacher who led the district’s new printmaking class, told the school board that the program and a community “Print Fest” drew substantial participation and produced original student work. "It was a tremendous day full of community, student and art," Hoffman said during the district’s reports section, crediting teachers, National Honor Society volunteers, life‑skills students and outside sponsors.

Hoffman said the one‑day Print Fest was a 10‑hour event that included multiple hands‑on stations (phone‑print carving, screen printing and a large‑format press). He described 37 large prints produced that day, dozens of commemorative teacher prints and hundreds more smaller student prints: "we had over 500 students making up fifth grade all the way up to our seniors," he said.

Superintendent (presenting the report) and board members praised the logistics and community involvement, noting a guest artist and several sponsors helped underwrite the project. Hoffman said the class began in the 2024–25 school year with initial mini‑grants from the district education foundation that funded presses and basic supplies.

The presenters said multimedia documentation — student‑made video, QR codes linking to photo galleries, and select prints on display in district buildings — will be used to share the event. Hoffman said the district plans to present the program at the state art education conference and at the National Art Education Association conference in New York.

The report included gratitude to custodial staff, the school nurse and local businesses that provided food and services for the event. Board members thanked the art staff and volunteers and noted the program contributed to student skill development and community engagement.

The district did not propose new budget commitments during the presentation; presenters said the initial materials were funded by an education foundation grant and local sponsorships. The board did not take separate action on the presentation beyond recognition and praise.