Meet Michaella DiFiore ~ the Morgan's new Community Arts Coordinator and Teaching Assistant

Hi, I'm Michaella (she/her). Born and raised in the Cleveland area, I graduated spring of 2023 from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where I studied Illustration and minored in Book Arts. 

I was first introduced to printmaking in high school via linocuts and immediately was hooked on printmaking wanting to do so much more than which my public high school had the budget. When I got to college I explored the medium more becoming familiar with relief prints, riso, silkscreen, and lithography. Since graduating, I have also learned Etching and have gotten familiar with printing presses of all kinds. I love the hands-on process nature involved with printmaking. Getting messy creating makes me feel like I’m really making art, plus I like having something physical to show for all my efforts.

During my time at Pratt, I incidentally discovered that they had a Book Arts curriculum and once again was in love from the first class. The community around Book Arts is incredibly open. There are traditional methods though so much exploration and freedom too. There is no definition of what makes something a book; it’s an art book because the artist decided it is one. In the book and printing community I found a freedom in creativity that I feel is lacking in corporate and some fine art spaces.

When it comes to my personal art practice I go wherever the flow takes me. My curent work is influenced by florals and poetry, and I love trying new things. My goal working at the Morgan Conservatory is to share my joy of printing, book arts, and papermaking with the Greater Cleveland area.