Today we introduce CHIRP, a newcomer to the Hashbrown tradition. On Saturday, March 19, CHIRP will be defending their organization with a chili recipe developed by Editor, Tyler Clark and Associate Partnership Coordinator, Bradley Morgan. Will they be able to take home the Golden Laddle of 2016? Get your tickets to the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off to help determine their fate!

Organization: CHIRP Radio
Guest Chef: Bradley Morgan, Associate Partnership Coordinator
Tyler Clark, DJ and blog editor

Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): How or why did you get involved with this organization?

Tyler: I spent four years as a college radio DJ, and continued obsessing over music long after I graduated. After a few years in the fast-paced (and curiously music-free) world of national politics, I got a real job and finally had time to spend my off hours doing what I loved: talking to people I can’t see about music.

SPC: Why do more people need to know and support CHIRP?

Tyler: CHIRP Radio is one of the city’s best outlets for people who are passionate about music, but it goes far beyond that. As one of the leaders in the low-power FM movement, our radio station has also been a vital voice in the conversation about community media access and resources. If you’ve ever found yourself exasperated at the state of corporate radio, CHIRP is the place for you.

SPC: Can you think of a brief description that could represent BOTH your organization and your chili?

Tyler: Made by people who care.
Bradley: Hearty, whole, and packs a punch.

SPC: If your organization had a spirit animal, what would it be?

Bradley: A bird (Chirp, get it?)
Tyler: We’d probably be … a really cool bird. Maybe, like, a starling with headphones? A flamingo in a Slint t-shirt? The wren who used to drum for The Wrens?

SPC: Do you have a favorite recipe you are willing to share?

Tyler: Recipes are like DIY venues: best kept secret.

Tylers Favorites:

Favorite Chef: David Chang, who made me love Brussels sprouts
Favorite Restaurant: I could eat the chilaquiles at Danny’s Egghead Diner every day for the rest of my life.
Best Cookbook: Stan Lee Presents The Mighty Marvel Superheroes’ Cookbook
Best soup you’ve ever had: The egg lemon soup at Salonica in Hyde Park
Best Cooking Show: The Great British Bake-Off; I’m obsessed

Bradley’s Favorites:

Favorite Restaurant: Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Best Cookbook: Thug Kitchen
Best soup you’ve ever had: Borscht
Favorite Type of Bean: Black Beans

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 2016 HASHBROWN CHILI COOK-OFF

Spudnik Press continues to gear up for our annual Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off. Today we introduce CAKE,  2015 Hashbrown Champion. CAKE returns to the competition with full intentions to again take home the Golden Ladle!

Organization: Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE)
Guest Chef: Jeff Zwirek, Co-Founder and a Co-Organizer

Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): What is CAKE?

Jeff: CAKE is a weekend long celebration of independent comics inspired by Chicago’s abundant past and present of talented cartoonists, featuring comics for sale, discussion, exhibition, and a growing number of services for emerging comic artists, including workshops and a micro grant.

For people aren’t familiar with CAKE or the world of alternative comics, can you give us the inside scoop?

Jeff: Alternative comics is a very diverse medium, there is something for everybody with stories and styles with all different appeals. At CAKE you can meet and talk to the artists who commit so much time an energy to their passion. It’s a chance to support the arts in your community and be exposed to other like minded artists from all over the world. Cake also always has an incredible line-up of well renowned cartoonists as special guests. It’s a shame we can’t cram more lovely people into our venue.

SPC: If you were tasked with creating a tagline for CAKE and your chili, what would it be?

Jeff: Intense and bold, you won’t soon forget this experience!

SPC: If your organization had a spirit animal, what would it be?

Jeff: A raven. Inky black and dangerously clever.

SPC: Do you have a favorite recipe you are willing to share?

Jeff: Every so often my dad would make us peanut butter and jelly instead of mom. He would put some margarine on the bread first. He also cut it in triangles instead of squares. It was like a whole different beast!

SPC: Can we leak any details about what our guests can expect to find in your crockpot on March 19?

Jeff: CAKE spares no expense! The last couple of years we’ve done a short rib chili that has come in first and second. We may switch things up a little but be sure that CAKE brings the goods!

Jeff’s Favorites:

Favorite Chef: Rick Bayless’ blonde mustache creeps me out and mesmerizes me at the same time.
Best soup you’ve ever had: I don’t care for soup. I always feel like I’m sick when I’m eating it.
Favorite Type of Bean: Black beans can’t be beat.
Best Cooking Show: America’s Test Kitchen

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 2016 HASHBROWN CHILI COOK-OFF

Today we introduce Instituto Grafico de Chicago, a newcomer to the Hashbrown tradition. On Saturday, March 19, IGC will be defending their organization with a chili recipe developed by cooperative member, Antonio Pazaran. Get your tickets to the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off to help determine their fate!

Organization: Instituto Grafico de Chicago
Guest Chef: Antonio Pazaran, Co-Founder and Member

Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): For those that haven’t heard of the Instituto Grafico de Chicago, tell us a little about this cooperative.

Antonio: IGC is an non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining the critical activist tradition of Latino printmaking that unites communities of struggle around the world. IGC offers arts education programs for new generations to engage in printmaking as a social force. This network of printers comes together to advance the legacy and vitality of printmaking by hosting community events and creating opportunities for artists to participate in print exchange projects and promote their work in group exhibitions.

SPC: Why did you get involved with this the IGC?

Antonio: I got involved with Instituto Grafico de Chicago by being one of the founders of this group. I wanted to be part of a group of people that had the need to ink and print.

SPC: What have you been up to these days?

Antonio: For the past two years I have been in charged of organizing our annual Grabadolandia (printmaking festival) along with managing our website and being part of the portfolio organizational team. I have had the pleasure of coming up with the themes for our past three portfolios and look forward in coming up with more ideas.

SPC: If your organization had a spirit animal, what would it be?

Antonio: A Leaf-Cutter Ant. Ants are strong, tenacious workers that contribute to tightly structured communities. Leaf-cutter ants, however, take the already impressive ant work ethic to a whole new level.

Antonio’s Favorites:

Favorite Chef: My Mom is the best chef of all time.
Favorite Restaurant: La Chaparrita in Chicago’s Little Village.
Favorite Type of Bean: Pinto
Favorite Recipe:

Sopa de Fideo
Prep 15 minutes, cook 15 minutes, eating in 30 min
Ingredients: 3 sm/med tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 sm/md Onions Yellow/Brown chopped
1 large clove garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (7 ounce) package fideo pasta uncooked
2 (10 ounce) cans chicken broth / coarse salt to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Place the tomatoes, onion, and garlic into a blender, and pulse several times to get the mixture moving; blend until smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat, and stir in the pasta. Fry the pasta gently, stirring often, until the pasta is golden brown, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Pour the tomato mixture into the large saucepan with golden brown noodles (make sure you strain the tomato mixture), and stir in your chicken broth. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium low; simmer until the noodles are tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Season to taste with salt, and stir in the cilantro; simmer 2 more minutes to cook cilantro. enjoy

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 2016 HASHBROWN CHILI COOK-OFF

The 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off, now in its seventh year, will bring a dozen unique cultural organizations to Spudnik Press Cooperative for an evening of food, games, celebration, and healthy competition. On Saturday, March 19, each of these organizations will moonlight as culinary artists and provide chili tastes to Hashbrown guests. As the event approaches, we profile each contributing organization, asking zany questions to help our supporters better know each chef.

We are going to kick off the interview series with a long-time friend of Spudnik Press, Tselanie Townsend of Homeroom. Homeroom has partnered with Spudnik to present the well-loved Ten x Ten project and has been part of the Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off as long as we can remember.

Organization: Homeroom
Guest Chef: Tselanie Townsend, Graphic Designer and Web Developer

Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): How or why did you get involved with this organization?

Some friends decided to start programming music events outside of traditional venues. Classin’ up some joints and demolishing others. As it was in it’s infancy, I thought it a good time to get involved and watch it grow.

SPC: Why do more people need to know and support Homeroom?

The programming is amazing and when you support Homeroom, you ‘re not only supporting Homeroom, but also the artists and venues we partner with – domino-style.

SPC: If Homeroom had a spirit animal, what would it be?

A chameleon – “oh, there they are!”

SPC: Can we leak any details about what our guests will find in your crockpot?

A single bean

SPC: Do you have a favorite recipe you are willing to share?

I’ll have to speak with my lawyer.

SPC: What tagline could represent BOTH your organization and your chili?

….a variety of ingredients in an unfamiliar environment

Tselanie’s Favorites:

Favorite Restaurant: Handlebar
Best Cookbook: marthastewart.com/cook
Best soup you’ve ever had: this chilled cucumber dill number at Milk and Honey ranks pretty high in recent memory – tastes like pickles
Best Cooking Show: America’s Test Kitchen !!!!

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 2016 HASHBROWN CHILI COOK-OFF

Deadline to Apply: April 4, 2016

Spudnik Press Cooperative is accepting applications for our Fellowship Program, our flagship opportunity for emerging artists to gain access unrestricted access to our studios.

This is a seven-month program that provides support for young artists through full studio access and professional development opportunities. Fellows will acquire leadership skills and Studio Assistance experience through monitoring a weekly open studio session. Fellows will also work closely with each other and staff to develop and lead Community Workshops at Spudnik Press.

In addition to monitoring one Open Studio session per week, Fellows will also take on leadership roles at special events, member meetings, and outreach efforts. Fellows will meet regularly to share artwork and support each others projects. The program creates accountability for the cohort of four fellows as they set personal goals, create healthy studio habits, and develop their portfolio.

To Apply:

Please download our 2016 Studio Fellowship Call
Download our 2016 Studio Fellow Proposal Form
Return all materials to nicolette@spudnikpress.org.

Important Dates:

Deadline to Apply: April 4, 2016
Fellowship Orientation: Thursday, May 5, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Spudnik Press Orientation:  Tuesday, May 10, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Monitor Training: Thursday, May 19, 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Individual Monitor Shifts Begin: May 23, 2016
Fellowship Ends: November 30, 2016

Pictured Above: Past Studio Fellow Ashley Shaul leading “Utilitarian Printmaking: Leather Keychains” community workshop.

This March, Spudnik Press Cooperative will host the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off, our 6th annual cook-off that features guest chefs from a variety of local organizations competing for Best Chili and the commemorative Golden Ladle.

We need help from you, our community, to make this the best cook-off yet. We invite our members and friends to join us as a volunteer in support of our grassroots fundraiser. No chef or printmaking experience necessary!

To volunteer, simply fill out our Volunteer Form, and we’ll follow up with details about how you can best contribute to our event. All our volunteers will get free admission to the Hashbrown, with time built into the schedule for consuming chili, playing carnival games, and enjoying the event!

Any questions? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Megan Klawitter at megan@spudnikpress.org

Once again, Spudnik Press Cooperative is assembling Chicago’s favorite arts organizations for a remarkable evening of games, food and community celebration.

Chicago, IL–The Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off is an annual event that has become a local winter tradition. Presented by Spudnik Press Cooperative, a non-profit community printmaking studio, The Hashbrown features guest chefs from a variety of local organizations competing for Best Chili and the commemorative Golden Ladle.

While the central element of the Hashbrown are the 10 chili stations presented by 10 local establishments, the evening is packed with entertainment. Like all events hosted by Spudnik Press, there will be plenty of opportunities for guests to experience printmaking first hand. Print-themed carnival games offer inventive twists on classics like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” and darts. CHIRP Radio will be spinning tunes throughout the evening. The limited-run 2016 Woodblock T-shirt design, printed from a hand-carved block, will be debuted. Plus the studio will be packed with artwork created onsite through Spudnik’s nine-year history.

Admission starts at $12 and includes tickets that can be used for food, drinks or carnival games. VIP tickets and Date Night packages include more tickets and a complimentary beverage for each guest. New this year, a limited number of group packages are available in advance as well. Tickets support the mission of Spudnik Press and can be purchased online at spudnikpress.org.

Purchase Hashbrown Tickets

Guest chefs will prepare a mix of meat and vegetarian chilis. The menu will be rounded out by tamales and desserts. Guests are able to taste as many chilis as they desire, then vote for their favorite recipe.

Each institution featured in the 2016 cook-off has supported the mission and vision of Spudnik Press in some capacity. The Hashbrown is symbolic of Chicago’s cultural landscape: a network of humble organizations and businesses, and generous individuals that all work in harmony to support Chicago artists.

This year’s competition, taking place on March 19th at 6:00pm in the Hubbard Street Lofts, invites back 2015 favorites Chicago Art Department, Homeroom and CAKE (Chicago Alternative Comics Expo). The remaining seven guest contenders are all first-time contenders. The diverse line-up includes non-profit organizations, local businesses, grassroots collectives, a museum and a radio station.

The 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off is a unique opportunity to mingle with and support Chicago’s favorite arts and culture organizations with great food, fun games and great company.

Download the 2016 Hashbrown Press Release

Throughout 2015, we invested a lot of energy into better understanding how people use the printing facilities at Spudnik Press. We surveyed our Keyholders, past and present. We asked our most frequent Open Studio visitors where there were gaps in our offerings. We tried out a few new studio use structures to see what resonated. What we came up with is two new options for all who print at Spudnik Press:

Half Month Keyholder Access:

Ideal for printers who have a project come up mid-month or artists with inconsistent work schedules, we now proudly offer Half-Month Keyholder Access. For a discounted rate of $90, artists may take advantage of 24-hour access to our studio and all the equipment within for either the 1st through the 15th or the 16th through the end of any month. Email info@spudnikpress.org for more details or to sign up!

Flat File Rental:

Flat file rental allows Spudnik Press printers to store tools and supplies at the studio without the commitment of becoming a monthly keyholder. This amenity can also be helpful for periodic keyholders who would like to continually store their personal supplies at Spudnik Press during non-keyholder months.

Monthly Rental: $25 per calendar month per drawer
Annual Rental: $250 for 12 consecutive calendar months per drawer

Email info@spudnikpress.org for more details or to reserve a drawer!

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2016.

Our gallery space, The Annex, offers opportunities for our members and guests to see world-class artworks in the fields of printmaking, drawing, writing, bookmaking or DIY publishing. We are particularly interested in shows that explore areas of overlap or communication between these media. Our Exhibition Archive demonstrates the range of exhibitions supported by Spudnik Press Cooperative.

Artists and curators are invited to submit proposals for solo or group exhibitions. We accept submissions from both members and non-members.

For More Details:

Download our 2016 Call for Exhibition Proposals our Guide for Curators.

Timeline:

Proposals due: Sunday, March 27, 2016
Applicants will be notified: by May 1, 2016
Press Release and Marketing Materials due: June 1, 2016
Exhibition Dates: August 12 -September 24, 2016
Opening Reception: Friday, August 12, 2016

To Apply:

E-mail the following to angee@spudnikpress.org with “Exhibition Proposal” in the subject line:

1. PDF including the following documents in the following order:

• Working title of the exhibition
• Exhibition Narrative: Description of the exhibition, both conceptually and visually. 150 – 250 words.
• Artist Statement(s) and Bio(s): Brief statement for each artist and bio for each artist. Include websites, blogs, notable artistic achievements, other relevant material.
• Resume or CV: No longer than two pages. Please only submit a resume  for the curator, solo artist or main contact for group shows, not each artist.
• Three professional references for the curator, solo artist or main contact
• Image list including medium, year of completion, dimensions, and name of file

2) Work Samples:

For solo exhibitions, include up to 10 images of work that will be included in the exhibition. For group exhibitions, include up to 3 images per artist. Sketches may be included for forthcoming work. Please include an image list. Images need not exceed 1 MB each.

Please direct any questions to angee@spudnikpress.org.

Calling all members! Spudnik Press Cooperative is seeking a committee of members to help drive and enhance our Exhibitions Program.

Exhibitions at Spudnik Press present new artworks, provide curatorial opportunities, and explore areas of overlap or communication between printmaking, drawing, writing, bookmaking or DIY publishing. But most importantly, we strive for exhibitions to provide true benefit to our members by introducing our community to new artists, art forms or approaches to printmaking, and through creating crucial dialog and a context for community building among our members.

By introducing an Exhibitions Committee, we invite members to lead this process and have literal say in the artwork and artists we exhibit, and the additional programming that we develop in conjunction with each exhibition.

Download our 2016 Exhibitions Committee Overview

What is involved?

1) Review digital exhibition proposals. Proposals will be sent approximately 10 days prior to an in-person meeting.

2) Attend an in-person Exhibition Review meeting on April 20, 2016, 6-8pm. Through a combination of discussion and voting, the Committee will select one proposal (plus an alternate) that will be offered as a Fall 2016 Exhibition in the Annex.

3) The opportunity to suggest additional exhibitions and provide feedback on the mission and goals of our Exhibition Program.

4) Provide additional volunteer support for one of the fall exhibitions. Responsibilities include working with the artist(s) to develop a corresponding public program that augments the exhibition, assisting with exhibition design and installation, developing and producing a limited edition print or artist book, assisting with marketing, social media, staffing the Artist Reception, and documenting the exhibition.

Requirements:

1) Must maintain a current membership at Spudnik Press Cooperative between April and December 2016.

2) Must be able to attend the Exhibition Review meeting scheduled for 4/20/16, 6-8pm.

3) Strongly encouraged to volunteer and additional 4 hours in the development of the selected exhibitions. Committee members will be able to request volunteer activities that best suite their skills and interests.

To Apply:

Email angee@spudnikpress.org. Please include your name and phone number. Please note, the exhibition committee is first come, first serve. If response exceeds our capacity, a wait list will be formed.

We reached the summit! You got us to the mountaintop—our full matching gift of $1,500—and then some. With your generosity, Spudnik Press already raised $2,265 (51% over our goal)!

This financial support makes our programs possible. During an uncertain time for arts funding and shrinking state and city resources, the Spudnik presses keep moving forward with the hard work and support of our community.

If you haven’t given yet but would like to, there is still time to make a tax deductible gift for 2015. If we reach $3,000 in donations, Spudnik can begin the new year by repairing ALL of our Open Studio screens! Give before midnight on 12/31/15.

Many thanks to each of you who has already contributed to Spudnik Press Cooperative—your time, your talents, and your financial contributions.

GIVE NOW

As the holidays approach, please be mindful of our adjusted hours:

Closed for Christmas: 12/24-12/26
Our last Open Studio before Christmas is Monday, December 21, 6-10pm. Hourly reservations will be available Tuesday and Wednesday 1-5pm for any last minute printing needs. Please call or email staff to make an appointment. There will be no Business Hours or Open Studio Hours between 12/24/15 and 12/26/15.

Closed for New Years: 12/31- 1/1.
The only Open Studio session between Christmas and the new year will be Monday, December 28, 6-10pm. Hourly reservations will be available Tuesday and Wednesday 1-5pm. Please call or email staff to make an appointment. There will be no Business Hours or Open Studio Hours between 12/31/15 and 1/1/16.