Spudnik Press’ Residency Program creates pathways for emerging artists to propel their artistic practice through access to facilities, staff, materials, and exhibition opportunities. The program provides the resources, equipment, space and support to allow three artists each fall to develop a body of print-based work. Now in its eight year, the Spudnik Press Residency Program has established itself as a unique opportunity for local printmakers and artists.

Benefits Include:

– Generous access to materials
– A 2017 solo exhibition with artist talk
– Studio visit opportunity with established artists, curators or gallerists
– Group critique opportunity with Spudnik Press members
– $200 Honorarium

Spudnik Press Cooperative has an open call once per year for a fall residency season (September 6 – December 20, 2016). Proposal are reviewed by a panel of Guest Jurors. This year’s reviewers include Shaurya Kumar, Ruth Lopez, and Polly Yates.

To Apply:

Please download and review our 2016 Residency Information Packet.
Return all requested materials to angee@spudnikpress.org no later than June 26, 2016.

Important Dates:

Deadline to Apply: June 26, 2016
Applicants will be notified: On or before August 1, 2016.
Residency Begins: Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Residency Welcome Reception:  Wednesday, September 7, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Residency Ends: Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Guest Juror Bios

Shaurya Kumar is a native of Delhi, India where he studied printmaking and painting at the College of Art; Shaurya Kumar graduated with his MFA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2007. Since 2001, Kumar has been involved in numerous prestigious research projects, like “The Paintings of India” (a series of 26 documentary films on the painting tradition of India); “Handmade in India” (an encyclopedia on the handicraft traditions of India); and digital restorations of 6th century Buddhist mural paintings from the caves of Ajanta. Kumar currently lives and works in Chicago, IL where he also teaches in the Department of Printmedia at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Ruth Lopez is a writer based in Chicago. Her work has appeared in the Chicago Reader, The University of Chicago Magazine, Raw Vision, Saranac Review, Interior Design, American Theatre, The Art Newspaper, Art News, Art in America, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine and The New York Times. The former art & design section editor for Time Out Chicago, Lopez also worked as an arts writer and the Books Editor for the Santa Fe New Mexican. Her book,Chocolate: The Nature of Indulgence, is a cultural history published by Abrams/The Field Museum of Natural History. In 2008, she started the blog, Dear Miss Valland, — a personal exploration about art, books and food and the convergence of memory and culture. Her current project, a series of short essays on the public art collection of the Chicago Transit Authority, is in production.

Polly Yates was a Spudnik Press Resident Artist in 2012. In addition to exhibiting her work broadly, she is the founder of For the Thundercloud Generation, a transient, artist-run window gallery in Edgewater, Chicago. She received her Fine Art MA at Central Saint Martins and currently serves on the Board of Directors at Roman Susan Gallery.

Pictured Above: Artist Talk with 2015 Resident Artist, Julia Arredondo.

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

Our next Chef Spotlight introduces Comfort Station, which exists as a community driven creative platform. Comfort Film Programmers, Raul Benitez 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: Comfort Station
Guest Chef: Raul Benitez, Comfort Film Programmers

Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): What is Comfort Station?

Raul: Comfort Station is a multidisciplinary art space whose mission is to present challenging and stimulating programming that is open and accessible to everyone. We are a community-centric organization offering a wide variety of programs: art exhibitions, concerts, film, workshops, lectures, participatory events, and more. As a historic building in the heart of Logan Square, we aim to create an active intersection of diverse Chicago communities and promote new connections between them. Comfort Station is all ages, wheel chair accessible, and gender inclusive.

SPC: What is your role at Comfort Station?

Raul: Outside of getting to choose the movies screened at Comfort Station the best part is getting to meet all the amazing film makers and artist that come through.

SPC: How did you get involved with this organization?

Raul: I joined Comfort Station in 2013 when there was a shout out for a new programmer for film. Since I have been part of the Chicago Film Community for years I decided it would be great to help Comfort Station with their film programming and a great way to meet new people in the neighborhood.

SPC: If people take away just one thing about Comfort Station, what should it be? 

Raul: I think people need to know how diverse and eccentric the programming is at Comfort Station. Not only do we have the art and the music and film but we also have talks, workshops and exhibitions. We try to be as broad based as possible to reflect the Logan Square neighborhood.

SPC: What is a tagline that could work for BOTH your organization AND your chili?

Raul: Diverse, exciting and smoky hot!

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

Raul: Definitely an Owl. I feel we are becoming the wise old art space in Logan Square were people come to us for advice and help etc.

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

Raul: My chili will have an interesting smoky twist!

Raul’s Favorites:

Favorite Restaurant: Smoque BBQ
Best Cookbook: A Treasury of Great Recipes by Vincent Price.
Best soup you’ve ever had: Berria Consume at Lindo Michoacan
Favorite Type of Bean: Lentil

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

Gearing up for The Hashbrown on Saturday, March 19, we introduce our third guest chef, Bruno Rohner of Rohner Letterpress! This is a homegrown gem we at Spudnik highly suggest checking out. Get your tickets to the 2016 Hashbrown Chili Cook-Off to help determine their fate!

Organization: Rohner Letterpress
Guest Chef: Bruno Rohner

SPC: What is your role with your organization?

Bruno: I’m the fearless leader.

Spudnik Press Cooperative (SPC): What should people know about Rohner Letterpress?

Bruno: Our main goal is to print beautiful and tactile pieces for design-focused clients using letterpress, foil stamping and other specialty techniques.

SPC: Can you think of a brief description that could represent BOTH your organization and your chili?

Bruno: A potentially combustible mix of ingredients that end the end come together beautifully.

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

Bruno: Bambi.

Brunos’s Favorites:

Favorite Chef: Charlie Trotter
Favorite Restaurant: Urban Belly
Best soup you’ve ever had: Bundner Gerstensuppe
Favorite Type of Bean: Garbanzo
Favorite Recipe:

Sambal Chicken Skewers
Ingredients SERVINGS:
4 1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1/3 cup hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
1/4 cup fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)
1/4 cup Sriracha
2 teaspoon finely grated peeled ginger
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch–2-inch pieces

Preparation
Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Whisk brown sugar, vinegar, chili paste, fish sauce, Sriracha, and ginger in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Thread 4 or 5 chicken pieces onto each skewer. Transfer marinade to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until reduced by half (about 1 cup), 7–10 minutes. Grill chicken, turning and basting often with reduced marinade, until cooked through, 8–10 minutes.

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 2016 HASHBROWN CHILI COOK-OFF