With our annual benefit, The Suffragette Social, just 6 weeks away, Spudnik Press has been buzzing with activity. Over 20 of our favorite artists have been invited into the Spudnik Press studios to generate new print-based artwork specifically for the auction.

Working alongside Studio Manager Extraordinary, Nicolette Ross, artists have been able to pick up new printmaking skills and experiment with painterly techniques like screen monoprinting, planographic printing, and pronto plates (which allow artists to work with photographs and digital images). This innovative model allows us to offer our benefit guests an amazing collection of artwork that cannot and will not be available elsewhere WHILE fulfilling our mission to provide affordable and approachable access to printmaking education and facilities to a diverse cross-section of Chicago artists.

Featured Artists include:

Heather Anderson | Mark Booth  | David Downs | Rachel E Foster | Rami George | David Giordano | Karolina Gnatowski | Magalie Guerin | Jaclyn Jacunski | Dutes Miller | Jeroen Nelemans | Paul Nudd | B Ingrid Olson | Jason Pallas | Claire Pentecost | Nicolette Ross | Veronica Siehl and more…

The benefit auction will feature all of the culminating prints from these invitational workshops, as well as drinks from Artisanal Imports and Perrier, music, hands-on printmaking demos, and a silent auction with wares from tons of Chicago local businesses and much more. With bids starting between $45 and $65, this auctions promises to be a win-win situation: Support the community printshop you know and love, while adding to your art collection, prints by artists you know and love! Plus, VIP guests get to come by an hour early to preview the auction, meet these amazing artists (plus enjoy open bar and hors d’oeuvres all night long in the VIP lounge!)

The Suffragette Social:

A Benefit for Spudnik Press Cooperative

United We Print!

Saturday, October 1, 2016
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
6:00 pm Artists Reception
$75 VIP Admission
$35 General Admission

Get Your Tickets!

Once again, we have pulled together a fantastic line up of classes and workshops! This fall, we are offering a few new types of classes that we are extra excited about.

First of all, our new “refresher” classes are a welcoming way for people with previous printing experience to regain confidence in the printshop. Ranging from one day to four weeks, these are fast-paced classes that focus on trouble-shooting, honing skills, trying out more advanced processes and inspiring attendees to take new risks with their artwork.

We are also dedicating a few classes to special topics of particular interest to our alumni. Our fall bookbinding classes delve deep into one binding style, allowing students to experiment with the book form and each develop their own customized designs. Screenprinters can choose to perfect photo printing skills and become a master t-shirt printer.

For those new to print, we have 9 one-day workshops plus a score of beginner printmaking classes and two very cool opportunities to learn illustration or calligraphy!

We truly believe this array of opportunities offers something for everyone. We hope that you will join us soon to make art at Spudnik Press!

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Brand New Super Special Classes: This Fall Only!
Modern Calligraphy
Saturday Morning Illustration Club

With Alumni in Mind: Special Topics & Intermediate Skills
Letterpress 201: Daredevil Type
Screenprinting Camp: Apparel Production
Screenprinting Photos: Halftones and Found Images
Bookbinding: The Coptic Stitch
Bookbinding: The Long Stitch

Core Classes & Workshops: Learn to Print at Spudnik Press
Risography 101
Screenprinting Explorations
Letterpress I: Wood and Metal Type
Printmaking Foundations

Refresher Workshops: Regain Your Printing Legs
Relief Printmaking Refresher
Screenprinting Refresher
Etching & Intaglio Refresher
Letterpress Refresher

One-Day Do-It-Yourself Art Projects:
DIY Greeting Cards: Letterpress Printing
DIY Gifts: Kitchen Tea Towels
DIY Gifts: Handmade Notebooks
Wearable Prints: Screen Print Your Own…
Screenprinting on Canvas: Make Your Own Wall Art
Hand Lettering Workshop
DIY Greeting Cards: Screenprinting
DIY Letterpress Coasters

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The Spudnik Press Board of Directors will support the work of Spudnik Press Cooperative and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are handled by staff under the leadership of the Executive Director, Board Members provide long-range leadership, governance and oversight for the organization while spearheading individual donor fundraising efforts.

A key responsibility for the Board of Directors is overseeing the implementation of the current Strategic Plan of Spudnik Press Cooperative, as well as leading ongoing evaluation and planning for the organization. A secondary area of focus is expanding the network of donors that support the organization through cash contributions, in-kind services, event attendance and purchasing services.

Board Members will serve a two-year term to be eligible for reappointment for additional terms. Full board meetings will be held every other month. Members are expected to serve on at least one committee, meeting approximately once per month.

Responsibilities Include:

Interpret the organization’s work and values, represent the organization, and act as a spokesperson.
Stay informed about current programming.
Attend and participate in board and committee meetings. Promote and attend a variety of public programs.
Extend personal invitations to potential supporters, continually expanding our network of donors and clients.
Represent Spudnik Press stakeholders through approving annual budget, business decisions and participating in an annual performance review of Executive Director.
Serve on a committee. Current committees: Development, Governance, Annual Benefit. Forthcoming: Finance
Contribute a minimum of $375 to Spudnik Press Cooperative per board term (September – August).
Attend Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities training upon joining the board.

Benefits Include:

Opportunities for professional development as a board member.
Honorary Spudnik Press membership, inclusive of all benefits, to align with their board terms.
15% of all classes and workshops
Invitation to exclusive member events
Annual Thank You Gift
Additional discounts on studio use programs

Skills & Qualifications:

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about Spudnik Press’ mission and/or visual arts. Priority is given to applicants who are accomplished in areas of need to the organization such as law, board governance, board development, public relations and data assessment, as well as fine art printmaking, community education, exhibitions and art sales.

To Apply:

Please send resume or bio summarizing  qualifications and a letter of inquiry to the following:
Angee Lennard, Executive Director, angee@spudnikpress.org

Download the Board of Directors Job Description

@ The Spudnik Picnik
Saturday, July 9, 12-5pm

Take a break from the summer heat and visit our Pop-Up Art Market! Our talented and passionate studio members will be displaying a variety of unique, hand-made prints in the Hubbard Loft hallways (between the outdoor fun and the indoor print shop tours). All work is priced affordable and ready to take home on the day of the Picnik. Don’t miss this opportunity to treat yourself and your friends, while directly supporting our community of artists!

Featured Artists include:
Elke Claus
Elise Forer
Margaret Hitch
Angelika Piwowarczyk
Randi Stella

Details & RSVP to THE SPUDNIK PICNIK
Members: It’s not too late! Sign up to Participate!

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@ The Spudnik Picnik
Saturday, July 9, 12-5pm

Support Spudnik Press by eating homemade treats! Dozens of Spudnik members are whipping up their favorite baked goods to help raise much-needed funds to maintain, improve and expand the risography equipment at Spudnik Press.

Why Risography? Risography is a little-known type of printmaking that combines the best of a copy machine with high-volume offset printing. The risograph is a quirky machine that creates lush prints in bold colors, quickly and cost-effectively. The main set back? Each new color requires a special pricey drum. We’re currently limited to just four colors, but have our eyes the full spectrum of hues, including the coveted white, gold, and fluorescent pink!

Proceeds from every cookie, cupcake and pie sold will help our studio provide top-notch self-publishing resources to hundreds of artists each year. What could be sweeter?

Details & RSVP to THE SPUDNIK PICNIK
Members: Sign up to bake your favorite sweet!

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@ The Spudnik Picnik
Saturday, July 9, 12-5pm

As we gear up for The Spudnik Picnik, we are excited to introduce our musical guests, DJ Pickled Beets and Ian Dinsmor. This dynamic duo is excited to contribute to the festivities an eclectic collection of funk, soul, boogie, early house and more. Here are a few quick facts to help wet your appetite before we all gather on July 9….

Excerpts from an interview with DJ Pickled Beets:

I am all over the place, anything you can shake your butt to. I have a pretty wide aesthetic. The common thread, for me, is always a good beat. So anything from Talking Heads to BT Express,The Slits, Marcos Valle, Grace Jones, Liquid Liquid, ESG. I love it all really. Ian and I play music you can dance, party, feel good to. I feel the more I am exposed to, the more music I love. I am very lucky to have worked at Dusty Groove. It introduced me to so much music, whole new genres and sub genres. I feel immense gratitude for my experience there. How many jobs have you worked where you get to jam out to great music all day?

Want to hear DJ Pickled Beets and Ian Dinsmor? Come by Spudnik Press on Saturday, July 9!

Details & RSVP to THE SPUDNIK PICNIK

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@ The Spudnik Picnik
Saturday, July 9, 12-5pm

Hot Dog Fiend will be serving up their elevated picnic favorites including The Fiend with grilled onions and peppers, and, of course, The Chicago Fiend, an expertly crafted jumbo dog topped in classic Chicago style. Don’t fret vegetarians, Hot Dog Fiend has you covered with veggie dogs too!

Metropolitan Brewing will bring the suds to quench your mid-day thirst. The much-loved Chicago micro-brew will be serving their German-inspired beers and are the perfect pairing for the picnic fare! Suggested donations benefit Spudnik Press.

Dark Matter Coffee will supply your caffeine buzz for the day! If a beer isn’t your thing, we have another brew for you! With their roaster just a hop and skip from Spudnik Press, we always find ourselves sipping on Dark Matter’s rich, savory coffee.

On the sweet side…

Root beer Floats: Sip on a little nostalgia with a float! A cool and sweet treat that reminds us of the grass between our toes and bathing suit tan lines—Root beer floats make it summer.

Sample the hidden talents of Spudnik Press members at the Bake Sale! You know their talent in the print shop, but wait ‘til you taste their savory scones.

Details & RSVP to THE SPUDNIK PICNIK

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@ The Spudnik Picnik
Saturday, July 9, 12-5pm

Follow the leader as we guide you through a hands-on tour of the Spudnik Printshop and all our inky presses!

Hosted by Spudnik printmakers, participants will learn about the inner workings of our community printshop and walk away with a collection of their very own hand-printed “Summer Fun” swag. Tour activities include perfecting the “letterpress two-step” on the Vandercook, rolling on through with a linocut relief print, creating an all-telling “cootie catcher” on the Risograph, and stuffing the goods into a screenprinted tote bag. Both Spudnik newbies and Spudnik alums will not want to miss it!

Details & RSVP to THE SPUDNIK PICNIK

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@ The Spudnik Picnik
Saturday, July 9, 12-5pm

This July, Eye Spy Optical is headed to The Spudnik Picnik with “Iris the Airstream”, a vintage motorhome packed with unique eye wear you can’t find anywhere else in the city. So after you grab a hotdog, a rootbeer float and try your hand at running a letterpress, you can try on some new shades. Plus, if you find a pair you love, you can feel great taking them home with you:

A portion of every purchase will support Spudnik Press Cooperative!

This is just one more reason why this is not going to be your typical picnic….

Details & RSVP to THE SPUDNIK PICNIK

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@ The Spudnik Picnik
Saturday, July 9, 12-5pm

What if you could make art simply by basking in the summer sunshine? We will be doing just that, creating impromptu portraits on large-scale cyanotype banners! Cyanotype is a light-sensitive process that yields areas of white amidst a deep blue background. Throughout the afternoon, Picnik-goers are encouraged to come and lay on Spudnik’s special light-sensitive “Picnik Blankets.” Participants will use their bodies and provided props to contact print unique vignettes. All ages are welcomed and encouraged to participate!

Details & RSVP to THE SPUDNIK PICNIK

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Available at:
The Suffragette Social:
A Benefit for Spudnik Press Cooperative

Chicago, IL On Saturday, October 1, 2016, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Spudnik Press Cooperative will unveil over 30 original prints, including 5 new editions as part of Spudnik Press’ annual fundraiser, The Suffragette Social: A Benefit for Spudnik Press Cooperative.

New Editions: Women Artists in Chicago

Why celebrate women at Spudnik Press? Spudnik Press is a women-run organization, and unlike the vast majority of printshops, over 70% of artists supported by Spudnik Press identify as women. With this in mind, Spudnik Press instigated an invitational publishing project culminating in 5 new editions to be auctioned, by established Chicago women artists including:

Michelle Grabner (Monique Meloche)
Edra Soto
Alice Tippit (Night Club)
Betsy Odom
Cheryl Pope (Monique Meloche)

30 Commissioned Artworks

At the heart of the benefit lies a carefully curated silent auction that will feature the works of over 30 accomplished artists created at Spudnik Press Cooperative through an innovative new art auction model that puts to work Spudnik’s incredible studio. The majority of featured artists have been invited into the Spudnik Press studio to generate new print-based artwork specifically for the auction. With the support of Spudnik Press staff and teaching artists, each artist has been able to gain access to rare equipment, bring new skills and processes to their body of work and collaborate with fellow artists along the way. Commissioned works by: Mark Booth, Jen Delos Reyes, David Downs, Rami George, Karolina Gnatowski, Magalie Guerin, Dutes Miller, Jeroen Nelemans, Paul Nudd, B Ingrid Olson, Sabina Ott, Claire Pentecost, and Pedro Velez.

Event Overview

Inspired by the democratic and, at times, subversive nature or printmaking, The Suffragette Social celebrates printmaking’s roots as an agent for social and political change. Embracing an activist spirit— and seizing the energy of the electoral atmosphere, Spudnik Press transforms its walls to create a fete that explores the area where art meets advocacy and where participation generates change. A glittering and lively event, The Suffragette Social promises the energy of a rally, the spread of a fine cocktail affair, and art to rival your favorite gallery.

In its total, this year’s silent auction will not only represent a vibrant and unprecedented collection of visual art but will also provide critical support to Spudnik’s mission and embody our philosophy that art is for everyone.

In addition to artwork, The Suffragette Social will feature music, fashion, wine, cocktails, and opportunities to make a print with one of Spudniks many printing presses. VIP ticket holders are invited to an Artist Reception to preview the auction and commemorate the artists. VIPs enjoy complimentary beverages and an exclusive VIP lounge.

Early registration tickets receive discounted pricing.
Additional details will be available July 18.
Full press release available: Suffragette Social Press Release

With thanks to The Suffragette Social Event Sponsors:

The Spudnik Cooperative Fellowship Program is proud to congratulate and introduce our next cohort of Fellows. Now in its sixth cycle, the fellowship provides emerging artists community, support, guidance and access to our facilities. Furthermore, as monitors for our Open Studio Program, fellows have the opportunity to meet and work closely with the majority of artists that print at Spudnik Press.

Our Summer/Fall 2016 cohort will be working throughout the studio and leading Open Studio sessions through November.

Summer/Fall 2016 Fellows:

Robert Kelsey is a new graduate of DePaul University, where he studied animation and game design. He has written and illustrated many comics and zines, and has been a guest at several zine festivals around the midwest. His work combines the macabre or uncanny with the approachability that often comes with the cartoon medium.

Rebecca Lothan (b. 1992, Chicago) is a visual artist based in Chicago. She received her BFA from Washington University in St Louis in 2015, and is the recipient of the 2015 Peter Marcus Prize in Printmaking and the 2013 Marsha Blasingame Award in Printmaking. Driven by a collage sensibility, Rebecca uses everyday and found materials to examine the spaces between and around traditional media.

Randi Stella: As a photographer and printmaker, Randi is dedicated to exploring the perception of light in transitional spaces. Randi is known for creating complex line imagery to understand the places she is frequently lost in while in transit. Randi received her MFA in Photography from University of Illinois in 2015 and a BFA in Photography and Printmaking from Northern Illinois University in 2011.

Matthew Owen Wead is an interdisciplinary artist and a native of Chicago, IL.  He received a BFA from Morehouse College (2006) and an MFA from University of Maryland (2009) with a focus on printmaking and mixed media. His prints can be found in collections and museums throughout the United States. He often incorporates multiple media in his work that focuses on identity and the hierarchy of power.