This summer, Spudnik Press Cooperative is expanding out Board of Directors! We are reaching out to our friends and family to help us connect with amazing people that are passionate about our mission and have the capacity to contribute to Spudnik Press.

Just what exactly does our Board of Directors do?

In short, our Board is the driving force behind the long-term vision and strategy of Spudnik Press. Our Board is currently a team of seven people whose professions and experiences include fundraising, marketing, accounting, business, program development, curating, and of course printmaking.

They work together to assess our work, support our staff and to develop future plans for the studio. All of this support is in addition to their endless work helping Spudnik Press raise funds. They are the driving force behind our fall Annual Benefit and they are always finding ways to bring more supporters to Spudnik Press Cooperative.

Who do we need to join our Board?

First of all, perfect candidate will fully endorse Spudnik Press Cooperative and our approach to providing accessible and affordable opportunities to anyone who wishes to be creative through printmaking.

Additionally, we are looking to round out our board by bringing on new Directors with a few skill sets. Specifically, we are seeking people with law, board governance, board development, public relations and data assessment expertise. Plus, we hope to bring on a current Spudnik Press member, an artist that knows our organization well and can represent, through first hand experience, the needs of our community and the artists we work so closely with.

What is the next step?

We have a special opportunity for Board of Director candidates on Tuesday, May 10.

So if you are interested in joining the board, please email Founder and Director, Angee Lennard. Please share a little bit about yourself and why you might like to join the board. We’ll follow up with details about the opportunity, including time commitments, specific responsibilities, financial commitments and benefits (like a free Annual Membership!) and go from there!

We’ll be officially swearing in new officers at our Annual Member Meeting in August.

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 April 17, 2016.

See all the Details or Download the Job Description.

This Summer, on Saturday July 9, we will host a summer shindig we are calling The Spudnik Picnik. This community appreciation day will feature music, food, hands on art-making, studio tours, and more. We are inviting Spudnik Press Members to help shape this event, to share their ideas and to contribute their talents to make our summer festivities the best they can be.

How can you contribute? Here are a few roles we know we are seeking:

Graphic Designer
Social Media Expert
Art Market Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Tour Guides
Live Screenprinting
Workshop leaders
General assistance

Ready to sign up? Email Angee Lennard (angee@spudnikpress.org). Please include how you would like to contribute and we’ll follow up with next steps.

Each year, Spudnik Press Cooperative invites a guest artist to design a woodblock print that is then printed on commemorative Spudnik Press T-shirts, totebags, and more. This year’s guest artist is Jeanine Coupe-Ryding, a renowned printmaker and Professor of Printmedia at SAIC. She developed two unique designs that are sure to make a splash! Her “Swim Time” designs feature one of the most ubiquitous printmaking tools, the brayer… That is, a ladies swim suit and men’s trunks sewn from a brayer-patterned fabric!

Supplies are limited and all proceeds support Spudnik Press. The 2016 Limited Edition Woodblock wares will debut at the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off.

Browse all Limited Edition Woodblock Wares

*drum roll*

Today we are excited to present our final 2016 Hashbrown Chef Spotlight! Spudnik Press Cooperative will be sharing our house chili with guests. While we won’t be in the formal competition, we will still knock your socks off with our amazing chili prepared by Guest Chef (and Spudnik volunteer), Eric Berry. He took a moment to answer a few questions leading up to this year’s Hashbrown Chili Cook-off.

Organization: Spudnik Press Cooperative
Guest Chef: Eric Berry, Volunteer

Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): How did you wind up making chili for Spudnik Press?

Eric: While not directly involved with Spudnik Press, I’ve been to a handful of events, and my wife Shlee has been working at and with Spudnik Press recently since she was accepted as part of the fellowship program. I volunteered to be the Chili Chef as Shlee’s husband- I loved experiencing the event last year and want to help out.

SPC: Why Spudnik Press? What keeps you contributing to our mission?

Eric: More people need to know about (and support) Spudnik Press because being involved, taking courses, or having a membership with Spudnik makes learning new things (art forms, tools, printmaking techniques) exciting, and the people and networks involved with Spudnik Press have all been exceptionally friendly and fun to work with.

SPC: What would you say is Spudnik’s spirit animal?

Eric: I think that Spudnik Press is well-represented by the Fisher. Although a small-to-medium sized animal, the Fisher is versatile, quick, and can defeat even the most formidable of foes in the animal kingdom, such as the Porcupine. While often underestimated by predators, the Fisher has been known to cook a mean pot of chili and is not to be taken lightly!

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

Eric: What I’m bringing is a culmination of family recipe tricks, my favorite type of chili, and the product of much trial and error over years of attempts to make the perfect pot of chili.

SPC: Final question: What is a tagline that could represent BOTH Spudnik and your chili?

Eric: You’ll never know how much you were missing until you try it…

Eric’s Favorites:

Favorite Chef: Masaharu Morimoto.
Favorite Restaurant: Buona Terra in Logan Square- I can never get enough!
Best Cooking Show: Chopped
Favorite Bean: Great Northern Beans
Favorite recipe: Hand-made soft pretzels

You will need:
5 cups of all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup water
1 packet of dry active yeast
1/2 cup baking soda Coarse salt (optional)
Nacho cheese (mandatory)
1) Start by beginning to boil 2 quarts of water
1) Mix yeast packet in with 2 tablespoons of water to activate it (as per instructions)
2) Add in brown sugar, water, and flour in mixing bowl with dough hook
3) Once combined, take out of bowl and knead with hands to form one large dough ball, and roll gently to oblong shape
4) Slice roll into 2 inch sections and roll in hands until roughly 1/2 inch thin
5) Shape pretzels and lay on lightly flowered surface and/or parchment or wax paper to keep from sticking. 6) Add baking soda to boiling water and stir thoroughly
7) Put pretzels in the boil for 30 seconds each. Remove them with tongs, skimmer or shallow ladle.
8) Add salt while the pretzels are still moist if desired
9) Bake at 475 for 8 minutes on greased cookie sheet 10) Remove from oven and enjoy (After removing from oven, brush with any optional toppings you wish such as butter, cinnamon and sugar)

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 2016 HASHBROWN CHILI COOK-OFF

Gearing up for The Hashbrown on Saturday, March 19, we introduce our one of our final guest chefs, Chelsea Ross of Chicago Art Department. Spudnik is honored to have The Chicago Art Department, CAD seeks to serve the real-world needs of young artists seeking to establish their personal practice. Get your tickets to the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off to see how well they do!

Organization: Chicago Art Department
Guest Chef: Chelsea Ross, Artist in Residence and Program Coordinator of the Chicago Art Department

SPC: Why/How did you get involved with this the Chicago Art Department?

Chelsea: After hanging out on the periphery of Chicago Art Department for years, then curating a couple shows, I finally applied for residency in 2013. CAD has served as a photo studio, community space, and a gallery for my first solo exhibition.

SPC: What is your role with your organization?

Chelsea: I am an artist-in-residence and Program Coordinator. I am also co-chairing our first large fundraising gala, Crystal Ball, that will take place on April 9. Everyone is invited!

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

Chelsea: CAD has been a cornerstone of the Pilsen art community for over 10 years. CAD aims to support artists by exploring studio art, exhibition, and learning opportunities. With two galleries, a screen printing studio, a letter press, and artist studios, CAD serves the real-world needs of young artists seeking to establish their personal practice, and provides a breeding ground of creative collaboration and exploration.

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

Chelsea: A pit, shepherd, lab, wildcard mixed-breed dog. Because it’s the signature Chicago dog…. a little bit of everything and a lot of heart and soul.

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

Chelsea: Even better than last year’s.

SPC: Final question: Write a tagline or brief description that could represent BOTH your organization and your chili?

Chelsea: Rich, complex, and layered. Will leave you wanting more.

Chelsea’s Favorites:

Favorite Chef: Abra Berens of Stock Cafe
Best Cookbook: No Knead Bread
Favorite Restaurant: Lula Cafe
Favorite Recipe: I don’t really cook from recipes. I have mouth visions and wing it from there.

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 The Chicago ACT Collective, a newcomer to the club. On Saturday, March 19, The Chicago ACT Collective will be defending their organization with a chili recipe developed by Member and Co-founder, William Estrada. 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: The Chicago ACT Collective
Guest Chef: William Estrada, Co-Founder 

Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): The Chicago ACT Collective is brand new! What let to you starting this group?

William: Chicago has a long history, and current practice, of creative resistance — artists and activists working together to envision social change. With the launch of The Chicago Artists Creating Transformation (ACT) Collective, we will build the capacity to produce socially and politically engaged art and deepen the impact of creative resistance in local communities. Rooted in printmaking practices, ACT will contribute to the long tradition of political printmakers giving greater voice to activism, sparking dialogue and new ideas, and bringing about transformative social change. The collective will be a structure and a process that is collaborative and community-based, creating a larger network of support to local artists, activists, and grassroots organizations. We hope to impact both the arts and political spheres, bridging together artistic activism in new ways that broadens the reach of both the arts and the organizing work of Chicago communities.

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

William: As artists and community members, its always a good thing to support those who are doing transformative work. We aim at supporting the grassroots organizations and individuals who are affecting change in our communities. You should support us so we can support individuals transforming our communities.

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

William: Collectively Created + Community Based + Rich in Flavor.

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

William: It will be spicy!

William’s Favorites:

Favorite Chef: My Mom.
Favorite Restaurant: Zacatacos.
Best Cookbook: The Taco Cleanse
Favorite Bean: Pinto Bean – you can never go wrong with Pinto beans!
Favorite recipe: Its all improvised and based on taste.

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 2016 HASHBROWN CHILI COOK-OFF

Gearing up for The Hashbrown on Saturday, March 19, we introduce Tanner Woodford of The Chicago Design Museum. As a community-focused organization, the Chicago Design Museum brings together volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to produce dynamic exhibitions, workshops and events that define, celebrate and explore our collective relationship to design. Get your tickets to the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off to see how well they do!

Organization: The Chicago Design Museum
Guest Chef: Tanner Woodford, Co-founder and Executive Director

SPC: What’s the backstory behind the museum? How did it get started?

Tanner: The museum started in Phoenix in 2011 as a collaborative effort, and a point of inspiration for designers who were traveling to Phoenix from around the globe for Pivot, the AIGA National Conference. In 2012, it moved to Chicago, under the leadership of Tanner Woodford. The Chicago debut was in the form of a pop-up exhibition in an 6,000 square-foot warehouse in Humboldt Park. Today, we have a permanent location in the Block 37 building.

SPC: How would you describe your role at the museum? 

Tanner: Custodian and wrangler.

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

Tanner: The small but mighty ant. They’re eager to mobilize, intelligent, and the ultimate team player!

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

Tanner: Our secret ingredient is sweet Kentucky Bourbon.

SPC: Yum! Final question: What is a tagline that could represent BOTH Chicago Design Museum AND your chili?

Tanner: Youthful, complex, and intriguing.

Tanner’s Favorites:

Favorite Chef: Jason Hammel
Best Cookbook: YouTube videos all day long.
Favorite Restaurant: dos Urban Cantina 
Favorite Type of Bean: Kopi luwak
Favorite Recipe: If we win the cook off, we’ll gladly share the chili recipe.

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 2016 HASHBROWN CHILI COOK-OFF

Chef Profile #6 introduces Chicago Glass Collective, one of the few community-based art glass studio. Owner and Artist, Leslie Speicher took a moment to answer a few questions leading up to this year’s Hashbrown Chili Cook-off. Get your tickets to the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off to help determine their fate!

Organization: Chicago Glass Collective
Guest Chef: Leslie Speicher, Owner and Artist

SPC: Why do more people need to know about Chicago Glass Collective?

Leslie: Chicago Glass Collective is a community-based art studio dedicated to celebrating the versatile medium of glass through educational workshops and dedicated studio space for new and experienced glass artists. Our studio is a welcoming spot to learn about glass, exchange ideas, create art, and share the enthusiasm and knowledge of glass techniques in the hope that it will encourage

SPC: Why did you open Chicago Glass Collective?

Leslie: I have been a glass artist for over 25 years and always wanted to have a studio where I could offer classes, make my own work and build a community of people who love to learn and explore all that glass has to offer.

SPC: Now to important questions, what is a tagline that could represent BOTH Chicago Glass AND your chili?

Leslie: It’s all about the fire!

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

Leslie: A friendly dragon.

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

Leslie: It’s super secret.

Leslie’s Favorites:

Best Restaurant: Spacca Napoli
Favorite Bowl of Soup: Wild rice and tomato bisque from Julius Meinl.
Best Cooking Show: Julia Childs, I’m old school.
Favorite type of bean: French Lentil
Favorite Recipes: 

1 cup Quinoa
3/4 cup edamame,
1 large red bell pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice, soy sauce to taste (baby shrimp optional)

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