2016 Residency Kick-Off Open House

The 2016 Residency kicks-off this September, and we are excited to introduce this year’s cohort of artists, Alex Kostiw, Viraj Mithani and Jake Saunders. Each of these three local artists will have unfettered access to the abundant tools, equipment and resources at Spudnik Press through December 2016. Each artist will create a new body of print-based work. The residency culminates with each artist debuting new work in a series of 2017 solo exhibitions.

Spudnik Press Cooperative invites our community to meet these three artist, view and discuss selections from their portfolios and learn more about their upcoming residency projects. Members, students, board members, educators, fellow printmakers and past Resident Artists are all encouraged to join us Wednesday, September 7, 6-8pm for conversation and refreshments.

Alex Kostiw

Alex Kostiw is an artist and graphic designer in Chicago. Her practice combines short stories and experimental comics with book design and printmaking. She is interested in narratives that reveal something more felt than understood.  Her work explores how little can be given to a reader while still establishing meaning. Alex received an M.F.A. in visual communication design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her B.A. in English literature from the University of Chicago.

Viraj Viral Mithani

Viraj Mithani is an interdisciplinary contemporary artist. His works derive from historic artistic cultures and worldly traditions. His practice floats between print, painting and sculpture. Native of Mumbai, India, he began with a traditional background in the arts. He graduated with a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2015. He also holds a diploma degree from Chelsea Camberwell Wimbledon College of Art and Design (CCW) of University of Arts London (2012). Viraj Mithani currently works and resides in Chicago, IL pursuing his art practice and teaching at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Jake Saunders

Jake Saunders is a Chicago artist working in printmaking as well as drawing and painting. Hailing from Muncie, Indiana, Jake grew up with a love for a variety of narrative based art forms, which became his focus in his art practice. After becoming fascinated with the unique aesthetics of woodcuts and etchings and their aptitude for seriality and multiplicity, Jake earned a BFA and MA in printmaking from Ball State University and went on to earn his MFA at the University of Connecticut. He has since gone on to show nationally and internationally. Today, Jake’s work amalgamates narratives to explore the concept of tragedy in forms both grand and mundane.

Learn more about the Spudnik Press Residency Program