On Saturday, October 7, the Chicago art community came together in celebration of our 10th Anniversary. Through a mix of ticket sales, auction bids, and donations, supporters contributed over $19,000 to the 10th Anniversary Campaign.

Since launching the campaign in June, we have been able to raise $28,456. We are now 44% towards our goal of $65,000.

This year-long fundraising effort is essential for Spudnik Press to establish a Reserve Fund and ensure that the organization remains a resilient resource for years to come. Additionally, funds will support the expansion and improvement of professional-track programs including the Fellowship and Residency.

Unique in our dedication to printmaking and related traditions, Spudnik Press offers professional facilities and rare equipment. We are committed to not only collecting necessary equipment, but also maintaining a studio that is inviting and utilized by as many people as possible. Without a communal space with well-maintained equipment, trained staff and approachable programs, printmaking is out of reach for most.  In 2016 we served 3,263 people. 587 people enrolled in 84 classes and workshops. Each year, over 750 Open Studio visits are logged and over 30 artists utilize our 24-hour access Keyholder program.

All of this would not be possible with out broad community support.

In the following eight months, we seek to raise the remaining $38,544 from individuals and businesses. We encourage those interested in supporting the campaign to:

1. Become a Spudnik Press Member.
2. Become a member of our Giving Circle with a $250+ donation.
3. Contribute specifically to the Equipment Fund.
4. Ask your employer to become a Sponsor.
5. Add a $1 donation at Open Studio sessions.

Our goal is ambitious, but attainable. 2017 has been our busiest years yet with an increase in youth field trips, new partnerships and projects with the Block Museum and the Broad Museum at MSU, the acquisition of a new letterpress and risograph machine, new staff and new board members, and more. As we make plans for 2018, we hope to continue offering a robust calendar of programs for any and all who wish to be creative through print.

Support our 10th Anniversary Campaign. Donate Today.

Photo by Abbi Chase.

Spudnik Press Cooperative is excited to introduce the three recipients of the 2017 Residency. This fall, we welcome Jonathan Herrera, Amber Huff, and Yasaman Moussavi to each create new bodies of print-based artwork using the tools, equipment and resources available within the Spudnik Press studios. The Residency Program provides these three artists with not only studio facilities, but critiques with arts professionals and a 2018 solo exhibition.

While each artist will be pursuing their own unique personal practice, the three artists all plan to develop mixed installations that incorporate printmaking as a critical component of their project.

In anticipation of their residency, our incoming resident artists will present their work to our members at the Annual Member Meeting on August 16, 2017.

2017 Resident Artists

Jonathan Herrera

Jonathan Herrera is a print-based studio artist and teacher from Chicago, IL. He has recently graduated and holds a BFA from the Minneapolis College in Art and Design. Through his studio practice and teaching philosophy, Herrera engages multiple facets of place-making and thinking in order to express ideas through concept building, process, and materials. He constantly works to create accessibility in both art and education by connecting his studio work, public work, and community engagement. Herrera has recently exhibited work at the Minnesota Museum of American Art, The Soap Factory (Minneapolis, MN), and Concordia Gallery (St. Paul, MN).

Amber Huff

Amber is a Chicago-based graphic designer and illustrator. She has a BFA from Boston University and recently graduated with an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her love for storytelling has recently taken the form of comics, writing, and sculpture.

Yasaman Moussavi

Yasaman Moussavi is a visual artist whose work reflects the spiritual attachment to places and the emotional tension between today’s precarious living and the Persian’s poetic tradition of “living in harmony with nature.” Moussavi was born in Tehran, Iran and she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Al-Zahra University of Tehran.

She holds an MFA degree with an emphasis in painting and print making from Texas Tech University, where she explored and developed her skills in papermaking, printmaking and installation art. She has participated in many group national and international exhibitions such as Juried International Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Irving Art center, TX, A.I.R Gallery Biennial, Brooklyn, NY, “Norouzaneh” International Mini Print Annual Exhibition at Sagene Kunstsmie, Oslo, Spazio 74/b Milan and Chicago.

How satisfied are you with your membership? What first brought you to Spudnik Press? What advice do you have for us? What programs would you like to see us invest in? How satisfied are you with the quality of our equipment?

We want your opinion! Help our studio thrive and evolve to best meet the needs of our community.

New to Spudnik? That’s great! Welcome! We want your opinion too!

Take the 2017 Spudnik Programming Survey

As a thank you, we are giving away four $25 Visa Gift Cards. Simple leave your email at the end of the survey, and we’ll announce winners after the survey closes on 8/25/17.

Print Factory Art Party

Saturday, October 7, 2017
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
9:30 p.m. After Party
Discounted ticket sales end August 1

Chicago, IL (July 17, 2017) – Print Factory Art Party, taking place Saturday, October 7, 2017, 6 pm – 12 am at Low Res pays homage to Spudnik’s industrious production and the volume of artists that use their presses to make art. The fete is recognition of the organization as a place for ideas, experimentation, camaraderie, and personal artistic growth.

“We believe the eclecticism of Warhol’s legendary hub is the perfect way to celebrate our own indefinable community of visionaries,” said Jessica Cochran, Independent Curator, Consultant, and Spudnik Board Member. “Guests can look forward to Warholian touches everywhere from artisanal cocktails, music and, most importantly, dozens of artworks by Chicago’s finest artists.”

The Benefit is both Spudnik’s largest annual fundraising event and a platform in which to showcase Chicago’s thriving visual arts community. “The Benefit is, in many ways, a culminating celebration of the work we do throughout the year to support Chicago artists,” said Angee Lennard, Spudnik Founder and Director. “It really embraces our mission of being community-focused and welcoming to all who want to be creative and support the arts.”

Most pressing is the silent art auction which features unique and unseen artwork from notable artists including: Alberto Aguilar, Claire Ashley, Dan Devening, Edie Fake, Judith Geichman, David Leggett, Jason Pickleman. This year, a Spudnik member section, curated by Jason Foumberg, will highlight work by young artists supported by Spudnik Press.

“What excites me most about this year’s benefit is the quality and dynamism of our art auction,” added Cochran. “We’re featuring artists who are known internationally alongside fresh emerging talent, the works on view represent our evolution as an arts organization at 10 years old. Not many arts organizations bring together artist from so many different pockets of our thriving art community into one exciting sale where both casual and experienced art collectors can find their next treasure.”

New additions to the event this year are the exclusive VIP lounge and the after-party where, for a nominal ticket price, guests can enjoy a dance party all while supporting Spudnik. “Donations made during the after-party will be earmarked for new studio equipment chosen by our members and for the benefit of all who print at Spudnik,” said Lennard.

Tickets at https://www.spudnikpress.org/event/print-factory-art-party-10th-anniversary-benefit-for-spudnik-press-cooperative/

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Media Contact
Angee Lennard
Founder + Director
angee@spudnikpress.org
312-563-0302

Spudnik Press Cooperative is now accepting applications for three permanent paid positions.

The staff at Spudnik Press is shifting and growing to include three unique positions in addition to the Executive Director. The Program Director will work closely with the Executive Director to bring leadership and strategic vision to programming at Spudnik Press Cooperative. The Studio Technician is charged with maintaining the tools, equipment, and facilities at Spudnik Press Cooperative, performing routine studio maintenance, and resolving technical issues as they arise. The Administrative & Marketing Assistant provides broad administrative support for Spudnik Press programs.

All three positions require a love of printmaking and community-based arts. 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.

To apply:

Downloaded and review the job descriptions:

Program Director
Studio Technician
Administrative & Marketing Assistant

Please send e-mail with a PDF resume and PDF cover letter to angee@spudnikpress.org. Please direct any questions to this e-mail address as well.

Application review will begin on July 15.

On Saturday, June 3, aligned with the celebration of their 10th Anniversary, the staff, board, and members of Spudnik Press Cooperative kicked off a year-long fundraising campaign that will be invested in the longterm stability of the organization as well as professional-track programs.

The 10th Anniversary Campaign will raise $65,000 from individuals and businesses between June 2017 and June 2018.

The all-new Spudnik Press Giving Circle offers the organizations most dedicated supporters acknowledgement and incentives to continue supporting the mission to provide affordable and approachable access to printmaking. In addition to cash donations, admission to ticketed fundraisers, winning auction bids, and Studio Memberships will all accrue towards the Support, Patron, and Benefactor Giving Circle levels.

Businesses that would like to support Spudnik Press Cooperative can take advantage of the Sponsorship Program that combines philanthropic support with opportunities for creative staff retreats via customized “Ink and Drink” events.

Within the overarching fundraising goal, members of Spudnik Press have stepped up their investment in their studio by initiating an Equipment Fund dedicated to upgrading, expanding, and repairing shared equipment. By contributing to our Equipment Fund, donors can ensure that the collection of rare presses remains in great shape for the hundreds of artists and students that use the studio day in and day out.

Guests at the Birthday Bash Printing Dash contributed the first $2350 towards the Anniversary Campaign.

Raising the remaining $62,650 will allow Spudnik Press to deepen the support they provide Chicago’s create community through specifically their Fellowship and Residency Programs. Additionally, the organization will invest in a newly establish Reserve Fund to ensure that the organization remains a resilient resource for years to come.

Donate to the 10th Anniversary Campaign

Support the Campaign with tickets to the Print Factory Art Party

Through out June 2017, Spudnik Press Cooperative is presenting a full calendar of programming that includes hands-on art making, community projects, exhibitions and art sales, conversations, celebrating, and fundraising. Each event will connects programs and  initiatives at Spudnik Press with students, emerging artists, established artists, collectors and art consumers. Together, the calendar of events aims to promote dialogue, raise awareness, and expose artists to new audiences.

6/1       Crossing of the Fellows: Exhibition & Artist Talks

The Spudnik Press Fellowship Program provides emerging artists unfettered access to our studios for seven months. The twice-annual Crossing of the Fellows event brings together our graduating class of fellows and our incoming cohort to present their artwork and discuss their projects.

6/2       Private Reception: Crossing of the Fellows

Spudnik’s donors are invited to join the Board of Directors for a cocktail reception celebrating seven emerging artists supported by our 2017 Fellowship Program.

6/3       Birthday Bash Printing Dash

Pre-Sale Incentive: Grab tickets now for a chance to win a free workshop!

If anyone knows how to party it’s us nerdy printmakers! No seriously, we turn ten this year and are letting our hair down. We’re throwing a party so big it takes over the entire studio and spills into the parking lot.

6/7       Drink & Draw: Comics Jam & CAKE

Join us for a double serving of CAKE:

First of all, CAKE (The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo) is right around the corner. Gear up by creating your own CAKE-worthy comics at this month’s Drink & Draw. Then, head to the snack table to grab a slice of birthday cake. What could be sweeter?

6/10     The Press Box @ CAKE

Spudnik Press Cooperative is excited to debut our new mobile print project, ThePress Box.  Named after the space dedicated to reporters and other members of the media, The Press Box invites all people to make their own headlines.  Using repositionable metal plates, The Press Box is letterpress printing meets magnetic poetry.

6/12   Publishing as Collaboration Panel Discussion

Printers have a long history of collaborating with artists, often new to making print. Why are printers so excited to get artists working in other mediums, often very disparate from flat ink on paper, to publish prints? What do artists get from the experience? Meet artists Kelly Kaczynski and Jeroen Nelemans in conversation with the printers who have been working side-by-side to produce new bodies of work at Spudnik Press Cooperative.

Presented by the Annual Benefit Committee.

6/16     Where we have been, before we go:
Opening Reception & Gallery Talk

Featuring prints that investigate the art making process as a progressive and ever-evolving exercise, artists produced diptychs reflecting past and current art practices.

6/17     Pop-Up Print Sale @ Galerie F

Our members are mounting a one-day print sale and BBQ at this Logan Square haven for print collectors. The event is free, but bring $ for art, burgers and brats.

6/25    Community Workshops Presented by the Fellowship Program

Our fellows have organized a Sunday-fun-day at the printshop exploring the papermaking and paper embellishing. These workshops are pay-what-you-can. While we do need people to register in advance, we won’t deny anyone access based on lack of funds. The suggested $20 donation covers materials and our amazing teaching artists. But any donation, even $1, will allow you to register online.

Handmade Paper: Adventures with Pulp, Embedding, and Laminating
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Teaching Artist: Yasaman Moussavi

Paste Papers (Plus Accordion Books!)
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Teaching Artists: Mary Climes & Carolina Martinez

6/29     Member Birthday Party

Join us for some good ol’ classic Birthday Party fun celebrating 10 years of Spudnik! There will be pizza, cake, drinks, games, and a raffle featuring some amazing spud gear, open studio passes, limited edition prints and more! All proceeds go towards the Spudnik Equipment Fund.

Support our 10th Anniversary Campaign

Spudnik Press Cooperative is celebrating a milestone: A decade of community arts programming!

This June, we will kick off a full month of special programming as well as a fundraising campaign to support our mission to provide affordable and approachable printmaking resources to Chicagoans.

Without a communal studio, dedicated equipment, highly trained staff and approachable programs, printmaking is out of reach for most. However, Spudnik Press has found inventive ways to keep their extensive collection of tools and equipment available to all. We opened our doors as a work/live studio in 2007 with a simple drop-in Open Studio program. Today, programming includes a network of opportunities from youth field trips to three month residencies for local artists.  In 2016 alone, we hosted over 587 students and 668 Open Studio visits.

Our big anniversary celebration is the Birthday Bash Printing Dash on Saturday June 3, featuring an afternoon of print-themed field day competitions, studio tours, music, and food. Donations from this event will be invested in the all-new member-driven Equipment Fund. This new initiative is raising funds for equipment upgrades, expansions, and repairs.

Grab Tickets Now for a chance to win a Free workshop

Spudnik Press Cooperative is also debuting a new Print of the Month Club that highlights 12 of their 175 members. Each month, subscribers will receive a fresh-off-the-press print designed by a member of the cooperative.  Print of the Month Club sales directly fund the featured artists and sustain the day in day out programs at Spudnik Press.

Join Our Print of the Month Club

Want to know more about our big milestone?
View the 10th Anniversary Press Release
View Upcoming Events

Spudnik Press Cooperative welcomes Rachel Foster as Studio Coordinator, a new position for the organization.

Rachel has been a contributing member of the Spudnik community for several years in various roles such as teaching and exhibiting artist. Now, as staff, she is excited to meet members, students, and our full community of artists and makers.

Rachel has both a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in fine art and has always had a love for printmaking. Her print work can be found in Printeresting’s Ghost compilation as well as The New Concrete: Conrete Poetry in the 21^st Century. Her work can also be find in the collections of ArtNow International and the Museum of Contemporary Photography.

In addition to her experiences as an artist and printmaker, she has extensive administrative experience. Her cumulative professional experiences makes her an invaluable resource for Spudnik Press Cooperative an our community.

If you see her around the studio, say hello and welcome her to the team! Rachel is here to assist with press reservations, orientations, class registration, and all other general inquiries. She can be reached at Rachel@spudnikpress.org or 312-563-0302.

Our 2016 Annual Report highlights that 2016 was an energetic year for Spudnik Press Cooperative. Our calendar of programming was the most robust to date and our small staff worked round the clock to provide hundreds of artists the artistic opportunities, education, comradery and studio facilities they need for their creative pursuits to thrive.

As we approach our ten year anniversary, we are taking stock of our assets and making sure we can continue serving the Chicago community for many more years to come.

I am incredibly proud of Spudnik Press Cooperative and hope that you will join me in looking back on our accomplishments, and more importantly looking forward to another year of unique programming in support of the hundreds of incredible artists that come through our doors each year.

With gratitude to all of our supporters,

Angee Lennard
Founder & Executive Director

View the 2016 Annual Report

Did you know…

Today is National Chili Day! Today is a day to celebrate this remarkable stew and gear up for a delicious weekend of eating.

This most happy holiday promotes not only the wonderful stew, cooked the world over, but the many cultural traditions surrounding this hearty dish.

Do not worry! The wait is coming to an end! The 2017 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off starts in less then 48 hours, where the chili will be ample, the games ridiculous, the company unsurpassed, and the fun incalculable.

Grab your pre-sale tickets now to save $5 off each adult ticket!

In just two days, 18 chefs will come together to face-off chili to chili. Three will go home winners, but only one will receive the coveted “Chili Champ” Juror’s Choice Award!

We asked our chefs if they’ve ever competed in a cook-off before, and here’s what they said:

Just how often do our chefs cook chili?  

Where exactly are our chefs finding their recipes?

Will you be able to tell who the real chefs are? Will the novices be able to convince you they are pros?

At the Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off, we let YOU be the judge! Reserve your discounted pre-sale tickets today and prepare to give your taste buds the challenge of a lifetime.

We look forward to seeing you this Saturday, February 25!