April (Ape) Bleakney

April (Ape) Bleakney is an artist, printmaker, and student of history. After graduating from Kent State University at the height of the Great Recession, she officially launched her one-woman creative business, APE MADE, in 2011. While primarily working as a screen printer, Ape also creates risograph, letterpress, photography, textile and mixed media works. She is an analog girl in many ways and true to form, utilizes only eco-friendly hand printing techniques in her studio while championing handmade traditional processes. Ape engages her art in the community through teaching, public and community-based art projects, and by leveraging her business in support of local social justice and charitable organizations’ fundraising efforts. She has recently completed local and international artist residencies and multiple large-scale public art and commissioned pieces. Ape lives, works, and grows out of Cleveland, Ohio.