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.

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 1

Spudnik Press is very excited to announce its first print exchange since 2012 curated by Thorsten Sahlin. Temporal Tantrum is an opportunity for printmakers to examine the universal, yet highly subjective, experience that is the passage of time. Whether you view time as a four-dimensional exercise in simultaneity, or as the linear tick tock of a watch, you are invited to contribute to this timely print exchange.

This member print exchange highlights artwork by 17 members of the Spudnik Press community as well as selections from 3 artists beyond our immediate membership whose artwork addresses the themes of the portfolio.

The portfolio culminates in an exhibition at Spudnik Press Cooperative, and each participant will receive a complete portfolio with 20 prints in a protective portfolio case.

Download the Prospectus

Temporal Tantrum Details

The passage of time is a universal yet highly subjective experience that can be measured in countless ways. From time travel theory, to poaching an egg, to sleeping, all have vast temporal implications.

In art, time is often addressed through the medium of film, but how does one confront it in a static medium such as printmaking? The Temporal Tantrum print exchange is an opportunity for artists to examine their own perception of time, and to investigate it through their preferred printing process.

Theme: Temporal Tantrum
Curator: Thorsten Sahlin
Paper Size: 11” x 14”
Medium: Fine art print; No digital prints.
Number of Participants: 20
Edition Size: 23 signed and numbered prints
Participation Fee: $20 payable to Spudnik Press upon acceptance*
*Fee covers the cost of the colophon and portfolio case.

Spudnik Press Members: Participation is open to the first 17 members to respond. Email Thorstensahlin@gmail.com. Please include name, website, and phone number.

Non-Members: Email Thorstensahlin@gmail.com. Please include name, CV, website, phone number and 2-3 work samples. Samples should be aesthetically comparable to the work you intend to contribute to the exchange.

Timeline:

Deadline to Apply: February 1, 2016
Notification (Non-Members): January 17, 2016
Drop Out Deadline: April 10, 2016
Deadline to Receive Prints: May 15, 2016
Exhibition: June 17 – July 30, 2016
Artist Reception: June 17, 6-9pm

I am so pleased to share with you that an anonymous patron of Spudnik Press has committed to matching your gift, dollar for dollar up to $1,500!

What does that mean, exactly? It means that by giving just $25, Spudnik Press will receive an additional $25 in contributions. A gift of $50 will become $100…$100 will become $200. You get the point! It means you can double the impact of your gift simply by making a gift before the end of the year- no extra work! Give now to ensure Spudnik Press receives the full match.

The icing on the cake is that your gift will support Spudnik’s stellar programs (and you know we have quite a few). For example, each year, Spudnik Press provides over 800 hours of Open Studio access. Spudnik Press has provided Open Studio access from its inception (and has maintained the SAME low price) to provide affordable and accessible avenues to printmaking. We do this because we believe in our mission to support artists at all levels of development, to build community by connecting artists, and we know financial barriers often prevent access to supplies and equipment.

Please help support our mission and programs like Open Studio with your tax-deductible gift of $25. Every dollar makes a difference!

Our goal is to raise $1,500 by January 1, 2016 to ensure we receive the full matching gift from a generous donor!

With Many Thanks,

Angee

This fall, Spudnik Press Cooperative is excited to introduce Nicolette Ross as our new Studio Manager.  So if you see her hard at work around the shop, please stop and say hello! Nicolette is thrilled to meet many members, students, and printers as she begins her role as Studio Manager.

While Nicolette is new to this position, she has long been a contributor to the Spudnik Press community. First joining our organization in 2012, Nicolette has been an active member and volunteer, teaches many of our relief printmaking and bookbinding classes, and as an active artist, she has participated in our annual member art sales.

In addition to her familiarity with Spudnik Press as a printmaker and teaching artist, Nicolette brings with her a wide breadth of experiences. She’s contributed to the Lawrence Art Center as both a Resident Artist and a Studio Manager. She’s logged experience printing with the best at Firecracker Press, Tom Huck’s Evil Prints, and here in Chicago at Fugscreens Studios. Plus, she has years of administrative experience, which will no doubt be put to use keeping all of our programs running smoothly and efficiently. In short, Nicolette is well equipped to bring leadership and enthusiasm to a wide range of programs at Spudnik Press. We can’t wait to see what the next year will bring for Spudnik Press Cooperative with her skills and enthusiasm contributing to our mission!

Have questions about Open Studio? Want to schedule a Staff Retreat at Spudnik? Have a suggestion for a studio improvement? Looking for a fun volunteer experience? Nicolette is ready to support you! Feel free to email her at nicolette@spudnipress.org or give the studio a call during our business hours (Tuesday-Friday 12-5pm) at 312-563-0302.

The Spudnik Cooperative Fellowship Program provides a novel opportunity for four printmakers to have six months access to all the facilities at Spudnik Press, contribute to the day-to-day success of Spudnik Press through leading our Open Studio program, and giving back to our community through leading donation-based community workshops.

This December we welcome our next cohort of artists. We are excited to bring to Spudnik artists who hail from four different schools located in three different states, and will be working in all corners of the studio. In addition to developing their person body of artwork, each fellow will lead on Open Studio session each week through May 2016.

Stephanie Benhaim is a painter and printmaker born and raised in Miami, Florida. She received her BFA from Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon in 2014. Benhaim is known for creating monotype portraits that grapple with themes of diaspora and the erasure of identity. Her works have been published in Jai-Alai Magazine and OTPW Zine Works.

Margaret Hitch is a printmaker, illustrator and sometimes poet hailing from the upper peninsula of Michigan. Last year, she received a BFA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she spent a lot of time with litho stones and birch plywood. Margaret’s print works often illustrate or work in tandem with her poems. Through the fellowship at Spudnik, she hopes to make three small books that experiment with relationships between text and image.

Eliz Kaple is a print and new-media artist based in Chicago, Il.  Her practice relies primarily on printmaking, bookbinding, and video.  Through the use of diagrams and architectural structures, she reimagines planes of perspective and reanimates inadequate spaces. Eliz received her BA in Anthropology from DePaul in 2014.  Her work is held at the DePaul Art Museum and has been exhibited in peripheral spaces in Chicago, Providence, and Indianapolis.

Darian Longmire is an interdisciplinary artist currently living in Chicago IL. He studied visual art and graphic design at Illinois State University, graduating in 2013. His work deals with conceptual approaches to exploring cosmology, the study of the universe. Monoprinting and assemblage currently drive his print based endeavors. Darian will be seeking MFA candidacy at a list of chosen institutions for the fall 2016 term.

Spudnik’s 4th Annual Winter Art Sale is less than two weeks away, and our members, interns and staff are gearing up for the event in big ways! Our interns, Moon Bang and Margaret Hitch, have been hitting the streets with posters and postcards, designing custom screen-printed gift wrap, and collecting awesome artwork from our members to install in our first-ever Winter Art Sale Exhibition. This new exhibition features a diverse selection of over 75 affordable printed artworks by 24 of our members, showcases all of the processes offered at Spudnik Press, and continues through out the full month of December!

Meanwhile, the studio has also been busy with over 20 members producing new wares for the Pop-Up Sale on Friday, December 4. In addition to printed artwork, guests can expect to find neon sculptures, metal and found-object jewelry, stationery, notebooks, cards, calendars, tabletop sculptures, printed apparel and tote bags, as well as zines, artists books, and chapbooks released by our members.

The Winter Art Sale is known as a place to find not only handmade goods by local artists, but warm drinks (with and without alcohol), sweet baked goods made by our members, music, wintry decor and great company. Plus, guests who support our members by spending $50+ throughout the evening can even wrap their gifts with our own hand printed gift wrap! And Spudnik Press members are invited to come early for a special Preview and toast!

We hope to see you there!

See Event Details
RSVP on Facebook

Exhibition Participants:

Julia Arredondo / Moon Bang / Angela Davis Fegan / Steve Gehm / Margaret Hitch / Germaine Jordan / Andrea Kaspryk / Carrie Lingscheit / Judith Mayer / Dutes Miller / Margaret McGill / Barlow Nelson / Angelika Piwowarczyk / George Porteus / Brad Rohloff / Hannah Ross / Nicolette Ross / Veronica Siehl / Olivia Tousius / Joanne Vena / Molly Whedbee/ Don Widmer / Miden Wood /  Tara Zanzig

Pop-up Sale Vendors:

Vice Versa Press, Julia Arredondo / Moon Bang / Jessica Cadwell / Perfectly Acceptable Press, Matt Davis / Bob Fields / Trixy Xchange, Marie Gouwens / Hannah Hischier / Margaret Hitch / Blac Lotus Artisan Collective, Germaine Jordan / Andrea Kaspryk / Carrie Lingscheit / Griffin Miller /  Michelle Miller / Margaret McGill / Design by Angelika, Angelika Piwowarczyk / Bred Press, Brad Rohloff / Hannah Ross / Nicolette Ross / Little Otto Neptune Shop / Olivia Tousius / Molly Whedbee / Miden Wood

On Friday, December 4th, Spudnik is hosting our 4th Annual Winter Art Sale.  We are seeking several volunteers to lend a hand in making this the most successful art sale yet! Volunteers will help with taking photos, running coat check, serving drinks, and more, plus will get to take in the festivities during our members-only preview event from 6-7pm.

View all of the volunteer options.  Add your name, email address and phone number for the shift you would like, or email us the same details.

If you have any questions, contact our Studio Assistant Interns Moon Bang and Margaret Hitch at
info@spudnikpress.org

Spudnik Press Cooperative is now accepting applications for our fourth annual Printing Apprenticeship, slated to begin February 1, 2016.

This opportunity is a ten-month position that combines professional experience working with clients through our Publishing Program with entrepreneurial guidance. Artists apply with a substantial personal project they would like to work on throughout the apprenticeship. Over the course of the year, the apprentice will work with an advisor to develop their project, which could be along the line of establishing their own business, developing a line of products, coordinating a collaborative project, or developing their professional art practice.

Enriching the experiences, apprentices are hired to work at Spudnik one day a week. While working for Spudnik Press, apprentices will assist with in-house and commissioned publishing projects. Over the course of the year, apprentices will gain experience with every aspect of publishing, honing professional screenprinting skills while learning the administrative skills required to support the printing projects.

Applications are due January 3, 2016. The 2016 Apprenticeship Program will run from February 1 – December 15, 2016.

Download 2016 Job Description: Printing Apprentice Job Call 2016

To Apply:
Submit the following to angee@spudnikpress.org:
– PDF Cover letter that includes:
1) An overview of the personal project you plan to develop throughout the year
2) Key goals you would like to achieve throughout the apprenticeship
– PDF Resume with references
– Website (if available)
– Work samples: 7-10 digital images in .jpeg format. Images need not exceed 1 MB each.
– One-sentence project statement; Can be included in the body of the email.

Internships at Spudnik Press focus on bringing students into every aspect of facilitating a community studio. Interns assist with daily maintenance of the shop, included cleaning, stocking, and ordering supplies, marketing, exhibitions, record keeping, fundraising, workshops, and classes, and more. Students typically work at the shop two days a week (Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays) 10-5pm.

Spudnik Press staff begin reviewing applications on November 30, 2015.

See all the Details or Download the Job Description.

The 2016 Class Schedule is here! We present 8 classes and 15 workshops that range from great 1st time printmaking projects to in-depth opportunities for artists ready to expand their practice.

Take $5 off tuition by signing up by 12/6/15. Use coupon code Save5 at check-out. Or sign up for an Annual Membership and receive 15% off all classes and workshops year round!

Plus, Spudnik classes and workshops can be gifted! Simply note at check out that your purchase is a gift and we’ll be in touch to coordinate the details.

Browse all 2016 Classes & Workshops

Brand New! One-Time! Super Special!
Saturday Morning Comics Club
Print Your Own Business Cards: From Vector to Vandercook

Spudnik Press Core Classes
Letterpress I: Wood & Metal Type (Tuesday evenings)
Letterpress I: Wood & Metal Type(Saturday mornings)
Screenprinting Explorations (Saturday mornings)
Screenprinting Explorations (Tuesday evenings)
Printmaking Foundations: Relief, Etching, Screen
Etching & Intaglio Printmaking

1-Day Workshops for All
Wearable Print: Screen Print Your Own… (January 2016)
Wearable Print: Screen Print Your Own… (March 2016)
Letterpress Your Own Coasters
Utilitarian Printmaking: Leather Keychains
Screenprint Your Own Swag: Stickers, Magnets & Patches
Letterpress Your Own Cards
Screenprint Your Own Valentines
Risography 101 (January 2016)
Risography 101 (March 2016)

201: Advanced Opportunities to Develop New Skills
Letterpress 201: The Vandercook: Maintenance, Adjustments & TLC
Screenprinting 201: Color Theory for Screenprinters
Bookbinding 201: Hard Cover Stab Binding
Screenprinting Refresher
Screenprinting 201: T-Shirts & Textiles
Screenprinting 201: CMYK & Photographic Prints

Browse all 2016 Classes & Workshops

Hand Job: A Labor of Love
By The Adventure School for Ladies
Published by Pressing Concern Books

October Spud Pick

Hand Job: A Labour of Love is an anthology of comics inspired by statistics on the depiction of women and transgendered people in comics and their presence as creators. This anthology was created through the Adventure School for Ladies, an experimental grad program founded by activist and writer Anne Elizabeth Moore that explores gender, cultural production, political engagement, and social divisions. Hand Job: A Labour of Love was written and published in 2012 during a two-week collaborative comics intensive within the Adventure School. The cover of this anthology was printed here at Spudnik as a part of this program!

The short comics presented in this book explore the difficulties of being a woman or transgendered artist in a variety of ways, from personal narratives to accounts of historical events. The stories told are at times funny, sad and informative. For those who feel frustrated by the male domination of the art world, especially in comics, this book will offer a sympathetic voice, as well as some illuminating thoughts on gender, politics and culture!

You can find Hand Job: A Labor of Love in the Small Press Library in the Annex.