BIDDEFORD — In 2010, printmaking artist Alice Spencer visited Zanzibar in Africa.

While there, she taught the fundamentals of stenciling and block printing to 12 professional henna artists ”“ all women.

Spencer, a founding member of the Portland printmaking cooperative Peregrine Press, helped create a connection between the two groups, who lived more than 6,000 miles apart, said cooperative member Sissy Buck, who participated in the project.

As a result, the two groups decided to create individual editions of base prints, and then the base prints were sent to members of the other group who added a second layer of gestures, imagery or manipulations.

Each piece was the result of the work of two artists.

This is just one example of the imaginative ways that the ancient art form of printmaking ”“ dating back to at least the 5th century in China ”“ is being revitalized today.

On Saturday, at Engine, a nonprofit art gallery in Biddeford, several Peregrine Press members demonstrated different printmaking styles.

Then, audience members had the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and try out the process for themselves.

The demonstration occurred during an exhibition of prints from all 32 members of the cooperative, which opened March 28 and will conclude on Saturday.

The co-op was formed in 1991, said Larinda Meade, a co-president of Peregrine Press. Meade said she first became interested in printmaking in college.

“I’m not a technical person,” she said, “but I loved the tactile experience.”

Buck said she also became interested in printmaking in college. Even through she works in other mediums, like painting, Buck said, “I have always done printing. I love the mechanical aspect.

“In this age of computers,” she said, “it’s really nice to do something with your hands.”

Peregrine member and Biddeford resident Susan Amons said she views printmaking as more “democratic” than some other art forms, because it is more affordable for first-time collectors.

She said before people begin to collect art, they might start out collecting prints.

Amons noted that all prints are considered originals, even if they are made from the same print medium and look alike, because the print type itself is an original. Amons said she enjoys working in monotypes, since all of those works are different because of the process involved. Often, only one print is made from a monotype.

Engine Executive Director Tammy Ackerman said she was pleased to show off the work from the artists of Peregrine Press.

“It’s nice to have a group of many artists with diverse styles,” she said. “We don’t get to see a lot of that type of work in Biddeford.”

In addition, she said, she was pleased that a number of people came to the demonstration.

“The hands-on demonstration shows how easy (printmaking) is,” said Ackerman. Through the demonstration, “People experience how to make the art,” she said, “which is really valuable.”

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].