We had the good fortune of connecting with Maryanne Ellison Simmons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maryanne Ellison, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am a publisher / Master Printer of fine art prints. I began my business on the advice of my accountant. I was a “contract worker” at a research university. I was doing their work in my studio and had to find a way to write off my expenses – so I had to open my own press. I had told the University that I would work for them for three years, stayed six and my business grew too big to do both.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have found my calling in collaborative printing in grad school. I had returned to school to brush up on my skills, dormant for twenty years. The visiting artist program told me that I wanted to solve other artist’s problems. The challenges are new with each new artist, each new project.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Seriously? City Museum. The Hill.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I had a very traditional education at the University of Michigan School of Art at the end of the 1960’s. I married, raised my children, and (at forty) went to a very unstructured program at Washington University in St. Louis School of Art. Both experiences were equally valuable – I knew how to print and how to break the rules.

Website: wildwoodpress.us
Instagram: wildwoodpress
Linkedin: Maryanne Ellison Simmons
Facebook: Maryanne Ellison Simmons

Image Credits
Various artists. Various photographers.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.