New Academy Press 'Tree Portrait 6' Print Available

Artist: New Academy Press
Title: Tree Portrait 6
Medium: 5 Color Screen Print
Size: 17 x 40 Inches
Edition: 200
Price: $50

New Academy Press is a highly specialized screen printing and art collective operating out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, within the United States. Founded by Justin George and Michael Burch, this collaborative venture blends traditional hand printing techniques with complex paper engineering to create limited edition works that appeal deeply to scientific illustration and gig poster collectors. The duo brings a combined background in formal fine arts to their practice. Justin George holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking, while Michael Burch earned his degree in photography, providing a sturdy technical foundation for their intricate production process. They first began focusing on their shared artistic vision in the early twenty tens, establishing an official presence by twenty twelve to showcase their unique fusion of illustration and three dimensional paper craft.

The relationship between the founders is one of professional collaboration and shared labor, as they initially balanced their emerging art career with demanding roles in the service industry to fund their specialized equipment. Justin George and Michael Burch meticulously handle every stage of production, from initial drafting to the final pull of the squeegee. Their primary home page at New Academy Press serves as a digital archive for their portfolio, which often centers on themes of natural history, botanical studies, and the curiosities of the Victorian era. When engaging with their community of enthusiasts, New Academy Press maintains a presence on Facebook to share process videos and announcement details for upcoming limited edition drops.

Significant accomplishments for the studio include their invitations to prestigious indie craft and art markets across the country, where they have gained a reputation for precision. They have been featured vendors at the Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philadelphia and the widely acclaimed Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh, which are key hubs for high end art print and movie poster collectors. Their work has also been highlighted in regional publications such as Upper St. Clair Today, where their silkscreen prints were praised for their depth and technical execution. Beyond standard flat prints, they have successfully expanded into the realm of artist books and special editions, collaborating with local publishers like Ugly Duckling Presse to produce hand bound volumes featuring complex screen printed wraps.

Collectors often seek out specific famous pieces and series such as the Society for Scientific Exploration collection, which includes their popular Animal Postcards and Animal Bookplates depicting skeletal arrangements and exotic fauna. Other notable works include the Tree Portrait series and the hauntingly detailed Foliated Tree Skimmer and Mengu Bonefish. Because they use archival inks and high quality French Paper Company stocks, their work has become a staple in the world of limited edition collectibles. Their participation in shows like the Crafty Supermarket in Cincinnati further solidifies their status as essential figures in the modern printmaking landscape, bridging the gap between scientific accuracy and fine art aesthetics.