Where Pop Art Meets Precision: The Creative Partnership of Roger Shimomura and The Lawrence Lithography Workshop
In the world of fine art printmaking, magic happens in the space between the artist’s vision and the printer’s technical expertise. Few creative partnerships illustrate this dynamic better than the decades-long collaboration between artist Roger Shimomura and master printer Mike Sims, founder of The Lawrence Lithography Workshop (TLLW). Since the workshop first opened its doors […]
Roger Shimomura
Roger Shimomura (born 1939) is a renowned Japanese-American painter, printmaker, performance artist, and professor emeritus based in Lawrence, Kansas. Key aspects of his life and work include: Artistic Style & Themes: His work fuses American Pop Art with traditional Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, comic book iconography, and popular culture symbols. Through bright colors and provocative […]
Out of Many, One: Series from The Lawrence Lithography Workshop Collection
TLLW at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art: Out of Many, One: Series from The Lawrence Lithography Workshop Collection STARTS August 1, 2026 – ENDS January 17, 2027 Beginning August 1, 2026, the Lawrence Lithography Workshop Collection will be featured in a new exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This exhibition showcases 40 prints […]
The Lawrence Lithography Workshop: MORE Highlights from the Collection
STARTS January 24, 2026 — Ends July 26, 2026 Comprising selections from the collection of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, this exhibition continues the museum’s celebration of creativity, talent, and collaborative spirit synonymous with The Lawrence Lithography Workshop (TLLW). Master Printer Michael Sims (born 1944) established TLLW in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1979 before moving […]
Meet The Master Printer Who Quietly Helps Kansas City Artists Look Their Best
Mike Sims is a bit emotional. As he prepares to celebrate 40 years of working with an array of acclaimed artists, the master printer admits it’s overwhelming. “Huge memories, yeah,” Sims says, shaking his head. “The biggest memories are the relationships with the artists, many of whom are dead and gone now.” Since 1979, artists […]
Lawrence Lithography: Creating An Image From Stone
Mike Sims was first introduced to lithography, described as the closest of all printing processes to pure drawing, as a student in the late 1960s. And Sims was hooked. By Laura Spencer Kansas City, Mo. – In 1979, Sims founded Lawrence Lithography Workshop. In lithography, an artist draws directly on the lithograph stones or plates; […]