Posts Categorized: News

Spudnik Press Launches 2024 Printmaking Bootcamp

Ready to dip your toes (or fingers, rather) into the world of printmaking? We’re thrilled to unveil our Printmaking Bootcamp – a curated series of hands-on workshops designed for both budding beginners and experienced printmakers.

The Printmaking Bootcamp is composed of six (6) “Make-It & Take-It” workshops introducing printmaking to students through an exciting variety of printmaking processes. Classes are focused on having students leave with a finished project for each session.

Sign Up for the Printmaking Bootcamp

Important Details:

When: 3 Sundays (February 25 thru March 10) and 3 Fridays (March 22 thru April 5), offering flexibility for your creative journey.

Cost: Just one enrollment fee of $455. Save over $200 compared to individual registrations!

 

Schedule of Classes:

Day 1 (February 25 | Sunday, 2-6pm):

Basic Bookbinding with Rob Kelsey

Learn how to craft your very own bound masterpiece.

Day 2 (March 3 | Sunday, 2-6pm):

Creating Comics with Risography with Alex Kostiw

Dive into the world of comics, combining your own artwork with the magic of risography.

Day 3 (March 10 | Sunday, 2-6pm):

Making Letterpress Posters with Riesling Dong

Transform ideas into striking posters through letterpress printing with a Vandercook press.

Day 4 (March 22, Friday, 5-9pm):

Screenprinting Tees and Tote Bags with Anders Zanichkowsky

Print your artwork onto wearable art such as t-shirts and tote bags.

Day 5 (March 29 | Friday, 5-9pm):

Collagraph Printmaking with Anna Wagner

A class that guides you through the intricate world of collagraph, turning textures into stunning prints.

Day 6 (April 5 | Friday, 5-9pm):

Letterpress Greeting Cards with Wes Kendall

Craft personalized greeting cards that speak volumes using a platen press.

 

Why Join?

  • Perfect for beginners and seasoned printmakers alike.
  • A variety of projects in each class, ensuring you walk away with a masterpiece.
  • Cost-effective! Save on registration fees by enrolling in the entire bootcamp.

Ready to embark on a printmaking adventure this 2024? Enroll Now and let the ink (and your creativity) flow!

Register for the Printmaking Bootcamp

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Educational programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Builder’s Initiative.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Logo designed by Riesling Dong

Get Notified About Classes

As we gear up for the schedule of our Winter Classes, we invite you to sign-up for our class waitlist so you won’t miss your favorite art classes at Spudnik Press!

Get in the Waitlist

Alternatively, you can also subscribe to our newsletter to get monthly updates on studio events, programs announcements, class schedules, and more updates.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Tip: Remember that you can also book Private Lessons if your schedule is tricky and you cannot find a class schedule that is aligned with your free time.

However you choose to get creative at Spudnik, we hope to see you at the studio soon!

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Educational programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Builder’s Initiative.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Spudnik Press Joins and Celebrates #GivingTuesday

Spudnik Press is thrilled to join the global generosity movement on November 28 for #GivingTuesday. We are set to inspire generosity by raising funds for studio improvements and calling for art donations for our upcoming benefit art showcase.

Joining a Global Movement

GivingTuesday was launched in 2012 as a simple idea: to create a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past eleven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Our Mission

Spudnik Press joins this annual tradition to be part of an amplified call to support various nonprofit organizations that fulfill a wide range of missions that serve their communities. For Spudnik, this includes continuing to keep printmaking and art education within reach through various artist opportunities and educational programs.

Giving in Various Ways

People express generosity in countless ways on GivingTuesday, from helping neighbors to supporting causes close to their hearts. Every act, big or small, makes a difference. It’s about more than just one day; it’s a year-round commitment to driving progress around the causes that matter.

Get Involved

If you’re eager to join Spudnik Press’ #GivingTuesday campaign, there are different ways to contribute:

Your support to keep Spudnik Press in orbit means so much in celebrating this global day of generosity. Join us in making a lasting impact through encouraging creativity by keeping our studio accessible for everyone who want to engage in printmaking and beyond.

With gratitude,

Yang Pulongbarit-Cuevo


Proceeds from our fundraising campaigns benefit our Press, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Join Our Fundraising Art Showcase

Call for Art Donations

Spudnik Press invites our creative community to support our upcoming year-end fundraiser through art donations. 

Donated pieces will be displayed for sale at the Annex gallery wall during an art showcase happening in December 2023.

Artwork Details

  • 2-dimensional artwork, measuring 6×9 inches
  • Can be made with any medium (drawing, painting, screenprint, etc.)
  • Art will be displayed unframed
  • Please sign your artwork on the back (artists will remain anonymous until sold)
  • All art donations will have the same selling price during the event
  • Unsold pieces will stay with Spudnik Press to be showcased and sold onsite or in future events

Important Dates

  • Mail-in deadline for art donations: please bring your art donations to the post office by November 27, 2023
  • Drop-off deadline for art donations: December 4, 2023
  • You may bring your art donations to the studio from Monday-Thursday from 10am to 10pm, and Friday-Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
  • You can sign-up to volunteer to help us set-up the gallery wall on December 6, 2023 by sending an email to info@spudnikpress.org
  • Fundraising Event: December 8, 2023 (Friday)

Your Art Matters

Your art contributions will help keep Spudnik Press open and accessible to all who want to be creative through printmaking and beyond.

Every donation that we gather, in-kind or monetary, sustains our goal of offering affordable and diverse classes, providing more creative opportunities, and fostering a vibrant and inclusive community.

This is your donation’s impact. Thank you for your support!

Spudnik Press Unveils a Fresh Visual Identity and Updated Mission

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in Spudnik Press’s history.

As we continue to evolve and grow, we are delighted to introduce Spudnik’s new visual branding, which includes a fresh logo, a vibrant color palette, and a contemporary typeface, all designed to reflect our continued commitment to diversity, accessibility, and the art of printmaking and beyond.

Along with embracing a new visual identity, we are also sharing our updated mission statement, crafted with the help of our community.

Taking inspiration from a stack of paper and a speech bubble, we created a more simplified voice for Spudnik Press.

A Fresh New Look:

Our visual branding has been refreshed to better represent who we are and what we stand for. Inspired by the conversations and collaborations about art that brew within and outside the Spudnik Press studio, our new logo is a symbol of creativity, camaraderie, and the power of printmaking. The shapes symbolize a stack of paper, our common ground in art-creation, and a dialogue bubble — staying true to Spudnik’s core of being a welcoming and approachable environment.

Distinctive Color Palette and Typeface:

We believe that art has the power to bridge gaps and bring people from all walks of life together. Our new color palette is a reflection of this belief, with a bolder and expanded blend of colors that celebrate the beauty of our differences. Our choice of typeface is clean, modern, and highly legible, ensuring that our communications are accessible to all. It reflects our commitment to transparency, clarity, and effective storytelling.

New typefaces were selected to reflect the new visual identity of Spudnik and to build stronger communication.

The designer for our rebranding project is Teaching Artist Riesling Dong. Riesling is a book artist and graphic designer who has been teaching Risography and Letterpress classes at Spudnik Press.

Brand Personality: Spudnik is creative, supportive, and knowledgeable.

Brand Voice: Spudnik’s brand voice is encouraging and approachable.

It has always been embedded in Spudnik’s mission to build a stronger and more inclusive community using the democratic and empowering medium of printmaking. Moving forward, we aim to continue this beyond printmaking. With the help of a dedicated committee of staff and board members, and insightful community feedback that were present at the beginning and tail-end of the process, we have a renewed mission statement that reflects what Spudnik Press does for the printmakers and beyond.  Our renewed commitment to this mission is unwavering:

Spudnik Press is a community of artists and makers engaged with the art of print.

Through collaboration, education, and access to professional equipment, Spudnik creates an environment that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds into the studio.

Grounded in printmaking’s history of social impact, Spudnik is committed to accessibility, equity, anti-racist ideals, and advocating for positive change.

Our new mission statement reflects our dedication to fostering creativity, championing diverse perspectives, and using art as a force for positive change in our community. Whether you’re an artist, a supporter, or someone seeking artistic inspiration, we invite you to join us in this exciting journey.

The logo has multiple lockups that were defined for different scenarios, to accommodate a wide range of usage.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to our incredible community for your continued support as Spudnik went through challenges and organizational transitions. We also anticipate questions from you and our next step is to put together an FAQ addendum to this post for additional information relevant to our rebrand and mission statement update.

Stay tuned for more updates, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved!

 

With gratitude,

Yang Pulongbarit-Cuevo

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Programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Builder’s Initiative.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Private Studio Available October 1: Annex West

Housed within a 3,000 square foot shared workspace and community printshop, our private studios are ideal for active printmakers, as well as book artists, and artists who work with a variety of 2-D media or small scale 3-D media.

Please note that the studio is NOT furnished with shelving and furniture.

Status:

Available October 1, 2023

Rent:

$455/month includes 24-hour keyholder access to all printshop equipment, ongoing membership, and general supplies.

Amenities:

10 x 13 feet
Locking door
Includes A/C, heat, internet, utilities
Hardwood floors

Email info@spudnikpress.org with questions or to schedule a time to see the studio.

Interested in 24-hour access but don’t need a private studio? Learn about Keyholder Access.


Everyone’s safety is important to us. Participation in this program requires being onsite at Spudnik Press Cooperative and that per our Covid-19 Policy, all artists accepted into the program will be required to provide staff with proof of vaccination. Where possible, we will make reasonable accommodations for artists with a medical or religious exemption.

Private Studio Available October 1: Printshop South

Housed within a 3,000 square foot shared workspace and community printshop, our private studios are ideal for active printmakers, as well as book artists, and artists who work with a variety of 2-D media or small scale 3-D media.

Please note that the studio is NOT furnished with shelving and furniture.

Status:

Available October 1, 2023

Rent:

$425/month includes 24-hour keyholder access to all printshop equipment, ongoing membership, and general supplies.

Amenities:

7 x 15 feet
8 foot walls, high ceilings, window
Locking door
Includes A/C, heat, internet, utilities
Hardwood floors

Email info@spudnikpress.org with questions or to schedule a time to see the studio.

Interested in 24-hour access but don’t need a private studio? Learn about Keyholder Access.


Everyone’s safety is important to us. Participation in this program requires being onsite at Spudnik Press Cooperative and that per our Covid-19 Policy, all artists accepted into the program will be required to provide staff with proof of vaccination. Where possible, we will make reasonable accommodations for artists with a medical or religious exemption.

Call for Volunteers: Studio Monitors

Spudnik Press is launching the Studio Monitor Open Call to provide interested volunteers with 6 months of 24/7 access to our professional facilities, a flat file, and opportunities to expand their printmaking and studio tech skills. Through a weekly 4-hour commitment, Volunteer Studio Monitors support our Open Studio Hours while becoming more familiar with the Spudnik Press community. Currently, we are looking for 5-7 new Volunteer Studio Monitors to join us.

Open Studio at Spudnik Press provides studio access at a reduced price and is available to all who can print independently. You can learn more about the Open Studio sessions that we offer here. Each Volunteer Studio Monitor leads an Open Studio session each week. Their responsibilities include:

  • Welcoming and supporting all guests.
  • Providing basic troubleshooting and printing assistance.
  • Using a database to record visits; Collecting and recording payments.
  • Restocking supplies; Cleaning; Organizing.
  • Seeking opportunities to improve the facilities at Spudnik Press Cooperative. 

To fulfill these duties, all Volunteer Studio Monitors receive:

  • 24/7 Keyholder access for the duration of their monitoring
  • Provision of a flat file to store their work when using the printmaking facilities
  • General orientation about the organization and their role
  • Technical training on the various printmaking equipment at Spudnik Press
  • Opportunities to expand their printmaking and studio tech skills such as workshops, classes, and events

Important Dates:

  • Sign-up duration: August 14 to August 24
  • Invitational 1:1 August 26-September 2
  • Onboarding: September 13-16

Sign-up as a Volunteer Studio Monitor

 

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Programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Builder’s Initiative.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Call for Applications: 2023-2024 Teaching Artists

Spudnik Press is currently accepting applications for 2023-2024 Teaching Artists in our studio. They will lead *core curriculum classes as well as special topic courses at our studio. We are prioritizing the following topics: Letterpress, Relief & Monoprinting, and Book Arts, but welcome applications for all of our disciplines. 

Teaching Artists will fulfill *core educational offerings at Spudnik Press through teaching introductory and advanced classes, private lessons, and have the opportunity to develop unique classes or workshops that build upon their personal artistic practice. 

Teaching Artists will accrue experience in teaching varied groups and build on their personal art practice through their full access to Spudnik Press facilities, where they can also be collaborative and make lasting connections within our community.

*Core classes have existing syllabuses available and Teaching Artists are welcome to execute them as-written or propose modifications.

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Enthusiastic about printmaking and co learning 
  • Minimum one (1) year teaching experience preferred
  • Familiarity with Google Workspace applications
  • Located in the Chicago metropolitan area with reliable transportation to and from our studio, located at 1821 W Hubbard
  • Able to commit a minimum of 12 hours per month  
  • Experience developing and implementing a structured and responsive class curriculum
  • Self driven, independent work ethic in various printmaking skill sets 
  • Reliable and committed communicator 

COMPENSATION

  • $160 for a one-day workshop (includes 3 hours class time, half-hour prep time, and 1 hour of curriculum building)
  • $595 for a 4-week class (includes 3 hours class time and half-hour prep time per session, plus 3 hours of curriculum building)
  • $1155 for an 8-week class (includes 3 hours class time and half-hour prep time per session, plus 5 hours of curriculum building)

First time teachers at Spudnik will be additionally paid $35/hr for a 3-hour class & studio orientation. Returning teachers teaching a new course will be additionally paid $35/hr for a 2-hour class orientation. For classes that do not require curriculum building, teacher will be paid the same $35/hr rate.

PHYSICAL WORK & ENVIRONMENT

Spudnik Press is located in the West Hubbard Lofts at 1821 W Hubbard St, Suite 302 and is wheelchair accessible. Please review our accessibility notice here. We have several printmaking studios which include; Screenprinting, Risography, Letterpress, Relief & Monoprinting, and Intaglio.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Application Fee: None; Free to apply
  • Deadline To Apply:  8/21/23
  • Info Session: another Virtual Info Session will be announced soon
  • Final Notification: 9/22-29/23
  • Onboarding: October 2023 
  • Classes Begin: November 2023
  • Duration: 12 months

APPLICATION

Submit your cover letter, CV, portfolio with an image list, and an example of a previously taught printmaking syllabus to info [@] spudnikpress [dot] org with subject line ‘Teaching Artist Application | 2023-2024 Term’. All application materials should be submitted as one PDF.

Portfolio should consist of 5-7 images:  Images must not exceed 1MB each. Work should include print-based work and work from the last three years. Please provide title, medium, year of completion, and dimensions for each work in your Image List.

Spudnik Press will not replicate or share your submitted syllabus with the broader public as it remains your intellectual property.

Deadline for applications is EXTENDED until September 12, 2023 at 11:59pm.

For inquiries, you may email us at info@spudnikpress.org.

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This Teaching Opportunity is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

We are Hiring: Business Manager

Come join a dynamic arts organization located in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago!

We are looking for a part time Business Manager to manage the business side of our enterprise. This person would be responsible for much of the day to day business operations for our small nonprofit, working closely with the Board of Directors. The Business Manager will be responsible for cash flow, daily financial resources, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, payroll, purchasing, cash management, general ledger, collections, taxes, and conducting an annual audit. In addition, this position may assist the staff in arranging classes and other events.

Position Type: Part-time
Position Location: Hybrid
Office Address: 1821 W Hubbard St, Suite 302
Hours: 25-30 hours per week
Schedule: flexible
Pay: $25-30/hr based on experience
Reports to: Board of Directors

Job Responsibilities
  • Oversight and reconciliation of incoming / outgoing business expenses, including the categorization of expenditures into their appropriate budgetary categories
  • Generation of monthly financial reports; preparation of financial reports required for grant applications and grant reports
  • Payroll management for W-2 employees and W-9 independent contractors; onboarding of new payees; annual distribution of relevant tax paperwork
  • Monitoring and timely payment of bills and other recurring payments
  • Management of, and interface with, current external contractors in accounting and bookkeeping
  • Assisting the Board of Directors with the annual budgeting process
  • Documentation and organization of all financial records
  • Analysis of current financial operations; willingness to propose changes that will streamline processes and be more intuitive for staff
Required Experience & Skills
  • Associates or bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 2-5 years of accounting or bookkeeping experience; experience working with a nonprofit organization
  • Strong understanding of Quickbooks, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace
  • Basic understanding of Little Green Light or similar donation management software
  • Basic understanding of Filemaker Pro or similar database management software
  • Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
  • Comfortable working independently; self-starter
  • Detail-oriented and highly organized; ability to meet deadlines
  • Interest in printmaking and/or the visual arts is a plus
Application Instructions
Please submit the following materials to info@spudnikpress.org with the subject line “Business Manager Application” or head to our Indeed job posting to apply.
  • Current resume or CV
  • Brief cover letter (<500 words) indicating the reason for your interest in the position, and any information not adequately covered by your resume (if applicable)
  • Two professional references that can speak to the required skills for this position. Please provide an email and phone number for each reference, as well a description of your relationship.

Spudnik Press is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Chicago, Illinois. Focused on the art & craft of printmaking, Spudnik provides local artists with affordable access to studio facilities, equipment, and professional development opportunities. Open studio hours, residency & fellowship programs, exhibitions, and other initiatives are offered to foster community, encourage collaboration, and serve our diverse network of creatives.

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.

July and August 2023 Class Pause

Spudnik Press is focusing on operational issues and working projects in July and August. This means that our classes will resume in September. We encourage everyone who is eager to begin their printmaking journey using our accessible facilities to book for Private Lessons during this pause. Our Open Studio is also available to those who have already taken printmaking classes and would like to continue printing at our shop.

This is meaningful to current staff as past organizational transitions were not able to provide employees a chance to pause and recalibrate, as we continued to fill in gaps, expand our roles and responsibilities, and figure things out. With this pause, we are working on more classes, programs, and other activities to strengthen the organization. We feel nothing but excitement and positivity about our current and upcoming efforts for the Press and its community. Thank you for your continued support and we always appreciate your enthusiasm in our class offerings!

Join the Spudnik Press Board of Directors

Spudnik Press is continuously seeking new Board Members and 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 and the staff of Spudnik Press to support the mission of our organization and any challenges that arise during their tenure. Board Members serve two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment for additional terms. Board meetings are typically held in the evening, every month, with additional meetings called as needed. Priorities for the coming year focus on our current leadership transition and working closely with staff to ensure that the organization is accessible, diverse, inclusive, and equitable. 

There are dedicated seats for Spudnik members with waived annual dues. To be eligible for these seats, Spudnik members must have at least two years of membership with the organization, and these years do not need to be consecutive. Membership must be active at the time of application.

At this moment, we are accepting applications for general and member seats. Please send your resume and a letter of inquiry to boardofdirectors@spudnikpress.org.