Spudnik Press Cooperative is proud to introduce our 16th Studio Fellowship cohort:

Cam Collins
Lily Cozzens
Kirstin Dunlap
Kyle Dunlap
Alex Fox
Yu Wei

Eight months of free and unlimited studio access is the foundation benefit of the program. Additionally, through the course of their fellowship, these artists will receive professional, artistic, and technical support catered to the needs of printmakers. Through working in our shared studio and monitoring weekly Open Studio sessions, fellows engage with our community of printmakers and benefit from ongoing support and feedback from staff and peers.

Established in 2013, this program to date has supported 61 artists with unfettered studio access to support the creation of both traditional and experimental print-based artwork, as well as a variety of other resources and opportunities.

Studio Fellow Bios:

Cam Collins

Cam Collins is a fine artist born in Chicago, IL in 1999. His work conveys ambiguous narratives that revolve around colorful figures and sprawling objects, prompting the viewer to investigate, but also have fun doing so. Collins went from Chicago High School to the Arts and moved on to get his BFA in Printmaking at RISD while working as a studio technician in Benson Hall. He has done his own solo exhibition in Providence titled Colorstroll, and has won various awards from Scholastic and AIGA.

Lily Cozzens

Through the lens of realism and observation, Lily Cozzens’ practice primarily utilizes the medium of drawing to explore and balance the ideas of banality, sincerity, and representation and to create an authentic experience for the viewer. Realism as a practice–and going beyond simple reproduction–embraces the instantaneous and fleeting subjectivity of daily goings-on. She explores and embraces memory and its subjectivity to create third-hand retellings of first-hand experiences. As an attempt at connection with others and with the world around her, she tells her own truth through her work.

Kirstin Dunlap

“My battery is low and it is getting dark” were the final works sprawled across news headlines to announce the death of the Mars opportunity rover. Those final words struck Kirstin Dunlap as undeniable human and since then she has worked to try to convey the intangible world to others in the only way she knows how: through print.

Her work primarily takes form through screen and risograph printing and book binding and works to bend the norms of the medium to best represent a particular concept. Experimenting with self publishing as of late has also increased her representation possibilities.

Kyle Dunlap

Kyle Dunlap a multi-disciplinary artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. During his time in school, he studied printmaking and photography. In the past he has worked at photography labs, archival facilities, and most recently has transitioned to working in a wood shop. Previously, he made work surrounding themes from classic literature to childhood experience. Oftentimes, he works through these ideas in small print sets or comics. Currently, his goal is to continue expanding his skillset and education while being able to work with his hands alongside other creative-minded individuals.

Alex Fox

Alex Fox is a printmaking artist from Des Moines, Iowa via Bulgaria. He recently graduated with honors and distinction from the BFA printmaking program at the University of Iowa. His current area of focus is silkscreen printing on fabric, and he plans on combining this with sculptural elements moving forward. In April 2021, he showcased his first exhibition titled Façade, exploring themes of identity and encompassing a variety of mediums such as oil painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography and textiles. As a new graduate, he is looking for opportunities to develop his printmaking career.

Yu Wei

Yu Wei tells stories through multiple visual approaches. She designs, draws, prints, photographs, writes, and edits. And most importantly, she makes books. Book is the connection between her inner self and the outside world. Now she is just a book artist based in Chicago and Beijing, floating in the cosmos.

Image: Clockwise from top left: Details of artwork by Cam Collins, Lily Cozzens, Kirstin Dunlap, Kyle Dunlap, Alex Fox, and Yu Wei

Featured Artists:

Amanda Lilleston & Lisa Matthias

Dates:

7/16/2021 – 8/31/2021

Location:

Spudnik Press Cooperative

Events

WaterBodies | Artist Talk & Virtual Reception
Tuesday July 20
7:00 p.m. CST

Visiting the Exhibition:

Visitors can make an appointment by emailing info@spudnikpress.org. Please include the date and time you would like to visit, and number of people in your party. We are typically able to accommodate visits between 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday and occasional weeknights.

Exhibition Statement:

WaterBodies features immersive relief prints by Amanda Lilleston and Lisa Matthias. 

Amanda Lilleston explores interconnected systems of biology and physiology. In her work, human beings are integrated into the larger ecosystem. Translucent prints depicting tissues, organs, and anatomical structures are layered with botanical and zoological forms. The membranous quality of the paper allows tendons, arteries, and tissues to connect and create new pathways unhindered by physiological limitations. Blood, bones, and the botanical are suspended in water and susceptible to its density, nourishment, and perpetual movement. Organic forms shift and adapt together. They shape and are shaped by their environment. 

Lisa Matthias’ artwork builds on this worldview where nature is not a separate entity but is a web. Her prints featured in WaterBodies stem from a collaboration with a colleague and scientist studying algae, aquatic ecology, and a microscopic group of algae called diatoms. Diatoms are intricately patterned single-celled organisms responsible for producing a large proportion of Earth’s oxygen. Her large scale prints embrace ambiguity. They are abstract and referential, expressive and structured, graphic and sculptural. They are simultaneously architectural and biological and could reference man-made constructions, microscopic worlds, or they could be otherworldly. 

By bringing together prints by these two artists, WaterBodies invites viewers to consider the relationships within and between humans and the natural world. With a focus on biological forms, these larger-than-life prints embrace a sense of wonder and appreciation for anatomy and ecology. They urge us to seek out unity and harmony with the biological environment that we are unmistakably a part of.

Image Credit:
(Left) Amanda Lilleston, Waterform (detail)
(Right) Lisa Matthias, Diatom Construction II (detail)

Wednesday, July 28, 2021
5:30 – 8:15 p.m.
Spudnik Press, 1821 W Hubbard, Suite 302

$20 for Spudnik Press Members
Register Online

As part of our mission to unite our community of artists with art professionals throughout Chicago, we offer portfolio reviews throughout the year. Portfolio reviews are private a 30-minute sessions with a curator, educator, gallery director, or arts administrator.

This is a unique opportunity for artists to receive feedback on a current body of work or upcoming project, as well as suggestions on how to prepare for other professional opportunities. Participating artists should bring a portfolio of current work to share.

For this iteration, we are brining in Jenna Lyle. Her expertise lies in the realm of music, sound, and performance. She is not explicitly a visual art scholar, and encourages artists with an interdisciplinary practice to sign up.

Guest Reviewer: Jenna Lyle

Composer, performer, installation-builder, and administrator Jenna Lyle approaches her sound-driven creative practice through the lens of embodiment, visual display, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Taking on long-term collaborations drawing upon her background in theater and vocal performance, Lyle focuses on relationship dynamics, tactility, and bodies in a state of listening and critical response. Recent projects include a one-woman adaptation of Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat, a solo work for sonic fabric garment and electronics called Louise, and a large-scale multi-ensemble piece for the combined forces of Chicago’s Ensemble Dal Niente, Berlin’s Ensemble Adapter, and Manchester’s Distractfold Ensemble.

Lyle is also a Co-Artistic Director of performance ensemble Mocrep and a co-founder of Parlour Tapes+, a New Music cassette tape label and media/performance collective based in Chicago. She lectures and tours periodically while curating and coordinating programming at The Arts Club of Chicago as Programs Manager.

Registration Details:

Space is limited to five artists. Advanced registration is required. The non-refundable registration fee can be paid online. Please register by Sunday, July 25 and please contact staff if you would like to request a specific time slot. We will notify artists of what time slot they have been assigned by Monday June 28.

COVID-19 Precautions:

Please review our COVID-19 studio procedures before arriving. Members will meet in the Annex. Staff will sanitize surfaces between sessions. Virtual sessions may be an option for people unable to visit the studio in person. Please contact staff if you would prefer to meet virtually.

If you are not a member and wish to participate in this member opportunity, please join or renew your membership.

Wednesday, June 23, 2021
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
@ Spudnik Press Cooperative 

$10 for Spudnik Press Members
Register Online

Sign up for a 30-minute photo shoot in the Spudnik Press Annex. We’ll have our light kit, tripod, and DSLR camera set up and ready to go. Using our camera tethered to Lightroom Classic, we’ll help document your artwork, provide light editing (color balance and lens correction) and send you home with your digital portfolio ready for your next residency application, grant proposal, or that big website overhaul you’ve been putting off.

The quantity of artwork we’ll be able to document will vary based on the complexity of the project, and how much variation there is between each artwork. We are best suited to photograph:

• 2-D work that can be laid flat and shot from above
• Zines, comics, and artist books
• Unframed work
• Work that does not need to be installed or hung on the wall to document

Participants will leave with 10+ high-quality .tiff files (3000+ pixels wide). Please bring your own USB drive to take home your files.

Registration Details:

Advanced registration is required by Monday, June 21. Space is limited to eight artists. Staff will notify artists of what time slot they have been assigned on Monday, June 21. Please contact staff if you would like to request a specific time slot. If you are not a member and wish to participate in this member opportunity, please join or renew your membership.

COVID-19 Precautions:

Please review our COVID-19 studio procedures before arriving. Staff will sanitize surfaces in between sessions.

Spudnik Press Cooperative is pleased to announce the completion of a new invitational project with Latham Zearfoss. The broadside, Many Happy Returns, addresses the interdependence of consumption and production.

Each print is dyed with a natural pigment on the left side, corresponding to a list of things that can be composted. The right side of each print is dyed with a synthetic dye, and corresponds to materials that are not typically composable. The text doubles as both a functional resource list and a meditative poem.

Latham began this project with Spudnik Press Cooperative by creating a collection of paper pots from recycled paper pulp and natural pigments. These pots were used to hold sunflower seedlings and intended to be planted in the ground as part of a virtual installation debuted during EXPO CHGO ONLINE in April 2021.

This initial publishing project of 2021 offers an affordable and utilitarian option for supporters to begin or add to their art collection.

Deadline to Apply: June 6, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

The Spudnik Press Cooperative Studio Fellowship is an intensive eight-month program that provides emerging artists opportunities to develop the artistic and professional skills needed to build a successful career in the arts. Key program components work in conjunction to provide mentorship, technical training, meaningful interactions with art professionals, public programming experience, and leadership opportunities. These key program components consist of the following:

• Access to professional printmaking facilities
• Weekly seminars addressing various elements of professional practices
• Leadership experience through regularly monitoring Open Studio sessions.
• Presentation opportunities through culminating public projects.

Furthermore, as ambassadors of Spudnik Press Cooperative, Fellows play an important role in ensuring our members and studio users have a welcoming experience at our shop and also help us grow our community. The contributions Fellows make to our day-to-day operations are invaluable and help shape the future of our facilities.

COVID-19 Modifications

The fellowship program will follow our COVID-19 Policies & Procedures, and will have both in person and virtual elements:

Virtual (via Zoom):

• Studio Fellowship interviews
• Public speaking experience: “Crossing Of the Fellows” artist talks
• Weekly Professional Development seminar sessions
• Part 1: Studio Access Trainings

In person:

• Part 2: Studio Access Trainings
• 24 hour access to all facilities
• Open Studio monitoring responsibilities

TBD:

• Additional Assistance Opportunities: With some programs suspended, there are limited opportunities to gain additional assistance in areas such as youth programming and teaching. While opportunities will be made available whenever possible, this portion of the Fellowship will be optional at this point in time.
• Public Programming: Designed and presented by fellows towards the end of the fellowship period.

Eligibility

The Studio Fellowship program best supports:

• Emerging artists, and artists at transitional points in their career.
• Artists with substantial printmaking experience, such that they are able to perform all monitoring duties.
• Artists whose current art practice requires access to printmaking facilities.
• Artists who already have a dedicated and regular studio practice.
• Artists who are able to commit about 8 hours a week to the fellowship program in addition to maintaining their art practice.
• Artists whose goal is to produce art a primary component of their career.
• Artists seeking opportunities to meet Chicago-based arts professionals.
• Artists interested in building meaningful connections with a creative community.

Please review our Fellowship Information Packet to learn more about:

• Program Overview & Components
• Fellowship Timeline
• Open Studio Monitoring
• Professional Development Seminar
• Additional Assistant Opportunities

To Apply:

Please thoroughly review the Fellowship Information Packet. Complete the Online Fellowship Application Form no later than Sunday, June 6, 2021. You will need to have the following ready to submit:

• Letter of interest addressing the following:
  • Why is now a good time for your career and development as an artist to be part of this program?
  • What goals would you like to accomplish through the fellowship? How do you plan to achieve them?
  • How do you see the Fellowship and the resources at Spudnik contributing to your project?
  • What is your training in printmaking processes and previous exposure to print facilities?
  • What will you bring to the program?
• Project Statement: Outline and expound upon the project you are hoping to work on during the course of this Fellowship. 300 words max.
• Resume or CV
• Bio: 100 word max
• Two References
• 7-10 Images
• Confirmation that we will receive a letter of recommendation by the application deadline. This can come from someone also listed as a reference

Important Dates

Deadline to Apply: Sunday, June 6, 2021
Fellowship Period: July 1, 2021 – February 28, 2022
Required Weekly Commitments:

• Professional Development Seminars:  Most Wednesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
• Individual Monitor Shifts: One of the following 4.25-hour per shift per week:
  • Mondays 5:45 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays 5:45 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays 9:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays 1:45 – 6:00 p.m.

Any inquiries regarding our Studio Fellowship can be directed to Jess Christy, jess@spudnikpress.org.

Spudnik Press Cooperative is excited to announce the following open positions:

View the Development Lead job description

This role will provide an organized and outgoing individual the opportunity to support our mission to provide education in printmaking practices through bringing together a diverse community including emerging artists, established artists, youth, and adults.

The ideal candidate will have an appreciation for printmaking and the visual arts in order to better serve our community and will enjoy working collaboratively. Staff are expected to bring passion and integrity to their work while enjoying the community of creative artists, makers, students, and teachers that contribute to Spudnik Press.

This is a permanent part-time positions with flexible hours and a blend of in-person and remote work. Benefits include paid time off, some paid holidays, and unfettered studio access.

To apply, please send e-mail with cover letter and resume to angee@spudnikpress.org. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Spudnik Press Cooperative does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

On Friday, May 7th, Spudnik Press Cooperative will host The Hashbrown Re-Hash: Virtual Event & Cookbook Launch. 

The virtual event will be presented as a cooking show featuring a variety of guest chefs including Adam Schulte, Certified Cicerone® with Whiner Beer, Patti Swanson with Chicago for Chicagoans and past Hashbrown chefs, pastry chef Dutes Miller and Alex Gilbert of CHIRP Radio. Spudnik Press staff will kick off the evening by sharing beloved cocktail recipes, baking tips, and cheese-making processes. The main dish will be prepared on screen by a guest chef, to be announced when tickets launch.

The Hashbrown Re-Hash: 10 years of Chili Cook-Off Recipes will feature a wide range of chili recipes as well as appetizers, sides, and desserts that pair well with spicy stew. This commemorative cookbook, designed by Andrew Mariscal (Spudnik Press Intern, 2020) includes photos and other highlights from past events.

2019 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off

Spudnik Press first presented “The Hashbrown” as a community potluck in December 2009.

Inspired by a cook-off fundraiser presented by the now defunct InCubate (2007-2011), the Hashbrown transitioned to a chili cook off in 2011. In the early years, all chefs represented printmaking studios including student shops like Harold Washington’s “Prinstitute”. The pool of chefs gradually expanded to include community spaces like Comfort Station, arts-related businesses like One Design, and member teams. As the event grew, so did the spectacle with games and music contributing to the festive atmosphere. For example, 2019’s “Heavy Metal County Fair” theme included midway games like face painting with options ranging from youthful rainbows to Alice Cooper-inspired corpsepaint. This Chicago tradition has been equal parts fundraiser and community celebration. 

Spudnik Press Cooperative has now gone more than a full year without any onsite group classes. Suspending group education was essential for community health and safety, but has caused a huge loss of revenue. “The Hashbrown Re-Hash” virtual event and commemorative cookbook is an essential community fundraising campaign to support the organization as they transition back to onsite public programs.

Event tickets and cookbook pre-sales will launch on Thursday, April 8th.

View Last Year’s Hashbrown Photos

The Spudnik Press Cooperative Board of Directors is growing and evolving! We encourage members of our community to consider supporting our mission by joining our board of directors. 

The Spudnik Press Board of Directors is a team of volunteers working behind the scenes to ensure our organization is resilient, mission-driven, and advocating day-in-day-out for artists and the arts. Board members provide long-range leadership, governance and oversight for the organization. Members of our board work collaboratively with each other, the Executive Director, and the staff of Spudnik Press to support the mission of our organization and the challenges arise during their tenure. 

Priorities for the coming year focus on adapting our studio to accommodate capacity limitations and working closely with staff to ensure that the organization is accessible, diverse, inclusive, and equitable.

Board Members serve two-year terms (September – August) and are eligible for reappointment for additional terms. Board meetings are held Wednesday evenings every other month. Directors are expected to serve on at least one committee, meeting approximately once per month.

Download the Board of Directors Job Description

Meet & Greet Events:

We invite anyone interested in learning more about our board of directors, our current projects, and what a role on the board entails to join one of our upcoming meet and greet events.

• Thursday, May 20th, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. CST via Zoom (includes a fun cooking demo!)
• Sunday, June 13th, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST (to be held in person; masks required)

We are also able to schedule individual meetings at alternative times as needed.

RSVP to Attend a Meet & Greet

Current areas of needs:

• Active members of Spudnik Press: Represent your fellow artists!
• Legal experience
• Human resources experience
• Project management experience
• Finance and accounting experience
• Gallery or art sales experience

To Apply:

• Send resume or bio summarizing qualifications plus a letter of inquiry to Angee Lennard, Executive Director, angee@spudnikpress.org by July 9th.
• The board of directors will put forth nominations by July 18th (one month in advance of the Annual Member Meeting).
• Nominees are elected by our membership during the Annual Member Meeting (August 18th, 2021) for positions beginning in September.

This is a great opportunity for an individual who is passionate about Spudnik’s mission and visual arts. Priority will be given to applicants who are accomplished in areas of need to the organization such as finance, meeting facilitation, project management, governance, public relations, data assessment, fine art printmaking, community education, and exhibitions. Additionally, Spudnik Press Cooperative is committed to having a diverse board of directors in regards to race, ethnicity, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical ability.

Saturday, April 3, 2021
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. via Zoom
Free for Spudnik Press Members

Register Online

Spudnik Press members are invited to this lunchtime workshop with Resident Artist Aaron Hughes on art and direct democracy: a form of political life that is centered on participation, rather than representation. Aaron is an artist, curator, organizer, teacher, anti-war activist, and Iraq War veteran who works collaboratively in diverse spaces and media to create meaning out of personal and collective trauma, deconstruct and transform systems of oppression, and seek liberation.

During this event Aaron will discuss his emerging project Autonomous Democracy and facilitate a discussion about direct democracy around the world and the role of art in social movements. Participants will be invited to write or draw their responses to prompts on these topics, and contribute their ideas and stories to this ever-expanding archive project. Everyone who attends will also receive one print from the Autonomous Democracy project!

Registration Details:

Members should register in advance. A link to a zoom meeting with be emailed the week of the event. If you are not a member and wish to participate in this member opportunity, please join or renew your membership.

Questions? Email anders@spudnikpress.org.

Image: Building Resistance, 2017 (left) by Aaron Hughes

We are continuing our quest to streamline our studio and are looking for a new home for the following:

Chandler & Price Clamshell Letterpress
Estimated at $1500-$2500

C&P Letterpress in great working condition. Recently used and functioning properly. Really nice patina with no repairs or welds. Fly wheel can accept a serpentine belt if you’d like to add a motor. Comes with chase, rollers, and printing block, ready to start printing. Rollers have recently been refurbished. Hand run with no foot pedal or motor. Pickup only. 

Brand: Chandler and Price
Printing Bed: 8″ x 12″
Type: Platen Press
Model: XXXX
Manufactured in the United States
Letter Press Type: Floor Model

Hamilton Woodtype Type Cabinet with Metal Type
Estimated at $800-$1200

Hamilton Manufacturing Company 25 drawer type cabinet. Good condition. Original finish. Type included is between 4-18 points and is mostly full sets:

• Engravers Bold in 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 point
• L.F. Plate Gothic in 4, 6, 12, and 18 point
• B.F. Plate Nothing in 4, 6, 12, 18 point
• Stymie Extra Bold Condensed in 30 point
• Includes 8 empty drawers at the bottom.
• Option to include brand new type (in original boxes) of 6 point News Gothic Condensed.

The sale of these items will allow our Line-o-Scribe proofing press to be permanently set up and expand or wood type collection. Spudnik Press Cooperative is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

If interested, please contact Angee Lennard (angee@spudnikpress.org) with an offer.

Thursday, April 22, 2021
6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Free for Spudnik Press Members

Featuring:

• Nina Chen | Making Harmony Without Sound

• Natalia Maliga | Limp Vellum Binding

Every other month, members are invited to share a skill, process, or technique with their fellow members. Designed as a way to instigate organic “peer to peer” support among members, Skill Share events provide a platform for members to connect with each others creative practice. Demonstration are casual and conversational.

Presentations will take place in the first hour. Members are welcome to continue the conversation at the end of the official program.

Registration Details:

Please RSVP here. A link to a zoom meeting with be emailed the week of the event. If you are not a member and wish to participate in this member opportunity, please join or renew your membership.

Questions? Email info@spudnikpress.org.