PARTICIPATE
Printing at Spudnik
Open Studio is a time that we set aside to open our doors to anyone who can print independently. We don’t have the staff or funding to provide any lessons during open studio. However, you don’t have to be a professional either. It’s held every Monday and Thursday, rain or shine, from 6:30 – 11 pm.
Memberships are available to anyone who feels comfortable printing completely independently. Members are granted 24-hour access to the studio, and use of a flat file. We are currently trying to create exhibition opportunities, help with documentation of work created by members, and more for artists who become members.
Spudnik Press can also be rented hourly or daily for those wishing to have uninterrupted use of a press, or who prefer working during the day.
We are always offering opportunities to learn how to use our equipment to make artwork, and objects. We aim to offer a variety of classes both for experienced printers and those wishing to experiment or learn something absolutely new. We also offer private lessons, or customized classes.
Spudnik’s project wall is used year round to showcase new work made by Spudnik Printers, student printmakers, and work by artists that we love. The project wall is a straight-forward simple way to bridge the divide between creating and viewing art.
Spudnik Press currently offers 4 residency positions each year. Residents receive a 3-month membership, a stipend for materials, and an exhibition opportunity. So far we have had 2 collaborative teams as our guest artists.
Exchanges
To date, we have hosted two exchanges and we plan to have more in the near future. We see exchanges as a way to interact with artists and print shops outside of Chicago, and become exposed to new art and artists.
Publishing
Publishing is when a printer works together with an artist to realize a print based body of work. Traditionally, the artist creates the original or draws on the plate or stone. The have complete creative control over their imagery. The printer provides the technical know-how to enable the artist to complete their work. It is a collaborative symbiotic relationship. At times the print shop reaches out to the artist. At times the artist approaches the print shop.
Collaboration
Spudnik Press is committed to contributing to our community through collaborating with projects and people to provide opportunities beyond what we could provide on our own. We have printed work for Support Your Local Industries, created cookbooks for Norwood Crossing, hosted free workshops through Product of Thought, and have talked about community art and printmaking with students through Marwen and After School Matters.
Volunteering
Spudnik Press is ALWAYS looking for more people to help keep us moving forward. Spudnik is almost entirely volunteer run with no paid staff members. We are in the process of forming committees to help coordinate efforts, such as the residency program, print exchanges, exhibitions, and community outreach. If interested in lending a hand, please e-mail angee@spudnikpress.com. Feel free to include what you would like to contribute, or what experiences you would like to gain from helping out, and we’ll go from there.
THANKS!
