June 19, 2010

Take a Letterpress Class this Summer!

Summer courses are starting up soon- if you've always wanted to learn the basics of letterpress, now's your chance. We have classes for every skill level. The first session of Letterpress I is starting up at the end of the month, so register soon! Get the basics under your belt and learn the difference between inking and impression, metal and polymer. Bring words and ideas to class and be ready to roll up your sleeves.

We're also excited to offer a whole week full of artist books with artist Sarah McCarry the week of August 2-6. It's an ideal opportunity for artists and writers to stretch their skills combining text and image on the printed page. Students will learn the basics of printing hand set type and linoleum blocks on the Vandercook, and learn a few basic binding techniques.

There's a few different opportunities for you to learn exciting new image-making techniques in the printshop this summer: Collagraphs with printmaker Yasuyo Tanaka (Aug 21-22) and Monotypes with Sara Jett (July 31-Aug 1). Stretch your visual language! And we're super excited for what's coming up in July: one half of the dynamic design duo Enormous Champion, our dear friend Jordan Provost will be teaching us the basics of Polaroid and Emulsion Transfers (July 17-18).

So there's little excuse not to print something this summer. Class listings are online now right here.

June 05, 2010

Vandercook Maintenance


We're welcoming Paul Moxon, Vandercook historian, promoter, user and educator this week. His weekend workshop Vandercook Maintenance (June 12-13) is a twelve-hour immersion in the care and feeding of these precise pieces of machinery. Moxon has spent the past several years sharing his accumulated knowledge on these presses, and emphasizing that keeping your press in good order and understanding how it functions is essential to good printing. If you print on a Vandercook, own your own press, are looking to buy a press, this is invaluable knowledge.
Aren't in the area and can't leave the state? Have to have lunch with your mother next weekend? He's also got a website containing a wealth of information for those interested in the subject, including a blog, where press owners can post questions and offer advice; it's a treasure trove of information. Is your press making a funny noise? Ink ending up in inappropriate places? Help is out there.
There's only a slot or two left; give us a call if you'd like to join us, or register online here.