See art created before your eyes at Clawhammer

Michael Hepher loves the fact that running his letterpress shop allows him to be creative every day

Michael Hepher is passionate about the historic letterpress and the products he and his wife, Anie, can offer clients. — Micheline Ryckman photo

Clawhammer Letterpress & Gallery is home to the only letterpress shop in Western Canada that operates in full view of the public. Owners Michael Hepher and his wife, Anie, celebrate local and regional artists as well in Clawhammer's fine art gallery. It's all located in their 1,295-square-foot space in the Fernie General Store building in downtown Fernie, B.C.

Michael has a passion for the history and use of the letterpress. Clawhammer can offer clients three different things: Clawhammer's own line of paper goods including greeting cards and coasters; larger block prints; and commercial printing—which includes wedding invitations and business cards—at a person's request. Kootenay Business sat down with Michael to find out more about this very special business in Fernie.

What do you like most about your job?

Two things that are about equal: one of them is the opportunity to be creative on a daily basis; the other one is that I get to do something unique that most people don't get to see (operating the letterpress). It's a 500-year-old tradition that remained virtually unchanged since the 1950s. Since then, technology has changed so much but there is still so much value in the letterpress, and so keeping that value alive is a neat side. Continuing to use it means a historic process is preserved, even if we're applying it in more modern and unique ways.

What is your number 1 passion outside work?

My wife and I have played in bands since before we met, so we now have our own band, Redgirl, and have done some touring. I like that we're not just creating visual art, we're creating music.

Who or what inspires you?

All creative people inspire me. I've always been a student of the process no matter what the medium. Whether it's the letterpress, painting or creating music, I just love to see or hear people doing quality work. It inspires me if I see someone doing something that is very well done or articulate. I heard a fellow student call it to be "a student of the brilliant."