Spudnik Press Cooperative is now accepting applications for our fourth annual Printing Apprenticeship, slated to begin February 1, 2016.

This opportunity is a ten-month position that combines professional experience working with clients through our Publishing Program with entrepreneurial guidance. Artists apply with a substantial personal project they would like to work on throughout the apprenticeship. Over the course of the year, the apprentice will work with an advisor to develop their project, which could be along the line of establishing their own business, developing a line of products, coordinating a collaborative project, or developing their professional art practice.

Enriching the experiences, apprentices are hired to work at Spudnik one day a week. While working for Spudnik Press, apprentices will assist with in-house and commissioned publishing projects. Over the course of the year, apprentices will gain experience with every aspect of publishing, honing professional screenprinting skills while learning the administrative skills required to support the printing projects.

Applications are due January 3, 2016. The 2016 Apprenticeship Program will run from February 1 – December 15, 2016.

Download 2016 Job Description: Printing Apprentice Job Call 2016

To Apply:
Submit the following to angee@spudnikpress.org:
– PDF Cover letter that includes:
1) An overview of the personal project you plan to develop throughout the year
2) Key goals you would like to achieve throughout the apprenticeship
– PDF Resume with references
– Website (if available)
– Work samples: 7-10 digital images in .jpeg format. Images need not exceed 1 MB each.
– One-sentence project statement; Can be included in the body of the email.

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 November 30, 2015.

See all the Details or Download the Job Description.

The 2016 Class Schedule is here! We present 8 classes and 15 workshops that range from great 1st time printmaking projects to in-depth opportunities for artists ready to expand their practice.

Take $5 off tuition by signing up by 12/6/15. Use coupon code Save5 at check-out. Or sign up for an Annual Membership and receive 15% off all classes and workshops year round!

Plus, Spudnik classes and workshops can be gifted! Simply note at check out that your purchase is a gift and we’ll be in touch to coordinate the details.

Browse all 2016 Classes & Workshops

Brand New! One-Time! Super Special!
Saturday Morning Comics Club
Print Your Own Business Cards: From Vector to Vandercook

Spudnik Press Core Classes
Letterpress I: Wood & Metal Type (Tuesday evenings)
Letterpress I: Wood & Metal Type(Saturday mornings)
Screenprinting Explorations (Saturday mornings)
Screenprinting Explorations (Tuesday evenings)
Printmaking Foundations: Relief, Etching, Screen
Etching & Intaglio Printmaking

1-Day Workshops for All
Wearable Print: Screen Print Your Own… (January 2016)
Wearable Print: Screen Print Your Own… (March 2016)
Letterpress Your Own Coasters
Utilitarian Printmaking: Leather Keychains
Screenprint Your Own Swag: Stickers, Magnets & Patches
Letterpress Your Own Cards
Screenprint Your Own Valentines
Risography 101 (January 2016)
Risography 101 (March 2016)

201: Advanced Opportunities to Develop New Skills
Letterpress 201: The Vandercook: Maintenance, Adjustments & TLC
Screenprinting 201: Color Theory for Screenprinters
Bookbinding 201: Hard Cover Stab Binding
Screenprinting Refresher
Screenprinting 201: T-Shirts & Textiles
Screenprinting 201: CMYK & Photographic Prints

Browse all 2016 Classes & Workshops

Hand Job: A Labor of Love
By The Adventure School for Ladies
Published by Pressing Concern Books

October Spud Pick

Hand Job: A Labour of Love is an anthology of comics inspired by statistics on the depiction of women and transgendered people in comics and their presence as creators. This anthology was created through the Adventure School for Ladies, an experimental grad program founded by activist and writer Anne Elizabeth Moore that explores gender, cultural production, political engagement, and social divisions. Hand Job: A Labour of Love was written and published in 2012 during a two-week collaborative comics intensive within the Adventure School. The cover of this anthology was printed here at Spudnik as a part of this program!

The short comics presented in this book explore the difficulties of being a woman or transgendered artist in a variety of ways, from personal narratives to accounts of historical events. The stories told are at times funny, sad and informative. For those who feel frustrated by the male domination of the art world, especially in comics, this book will offer a sympathetic voice, as well as some illuminating thoughts on gender, politics and culture!

You can find Hand Job: A Labor of Love in the Small Press Library in the Annex.

Spudnik Press Cooperative is now accepting applications for our Studio Manager position. This is a permanent part-time position with the intention to become full time in 2016.

The Studio Manager works closely with the Executive Director to support all programming connected to the use of our physical studios, focusing on maintaining a conducive artistic environment for all that utilize our Spudnik Press Cooperative. Studio Manager will be the main point of contact for all constituents of Spudnik Press and must be well-versed in multiple printmaking processes.

To apply:
Before applying, please first downloaded and review the Complete Studio Manager Job Description. To apply, please send e-mail with resume and cover letter to angee@spudnikpress.org. Please direct any questions to this e-mail address as well.

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCT. 28!

Calling all members! It’s time once again for the annual winter art sale at Spudnik Press. This year the festivities will consist of two parts: an ongoing exhibition and a one-night pop-up sale that exclusively features artwork by our members. Members are free to participate in the exhibition, the pop-up sale or both.

Spudnik Press will retain a commission of 25% on all works sold in the exhibition and the pop-up sale. When pricing your work, consider that in the past, artworks priced under $50 have sold the best at this event. However, you may price your work as you see fit.

Sign Up to Participate

The Exhibition

December 1 – 31, 2015
Artwork Drop off: By November 25, 2015
Maximum Print Dimensions: 45″x34″
No entry fee to participate

The exhibition is for printed artworks, is not juried and is open to all members.  Work will be displayed salon style in the Annex throughout the month of December. Members can submit a maximum of 5 prints for the exhibition, and are encouraged to bring up to 3 copies of each work.

Spudnik will handle the sale of all artwork throughout the month. For works that are smaller than 30” x 40” Spudnik Press will provide a clear plastic bag for packaging. Participants are encouraged to prepare and provide backing materials for their work.

The Pop-Up Sale

December 4, 7-10pm
Table Set-Up: Day of
$20 Refundable Deposit required to participate

Join us for a night of art, treats, and reveries! This one-night Pop-Up Sale will be held on Dec 4th with a members-only preview and celebration before the event from 6-7pm.

Artists who participate in the pop-up sale will be assigned one of 16 tables spaces in the printshop and Annex on which to display and sell their work. These spaces will range in size from 2’ x 3’ to 3’ x 5’.  Some participants will share sections of large tables. Spaces will be assigned according to information that participants provide about the size of and amount of work they plan to sell.

Participants in the pop-up sale are free to sell any type of handmade artworks or items including but not limited to apparel, zines, books, stationery, jewelry etc. Participants need to provide their own packaging for their items. Spudnik will handle payment and even offer special gift-wrapping for buyers!

The entry fee for the pop-up sale is a $20 deposit, which will be applied to the 25% commission. Artists will be paid out at the end of the night.

 This entry fee can be paid online here.

Please fill out the form below to participate in the pop-up sale, exhibition or both.

Sign Up to Participate

One of Spudnik Press’ six private studios will be available beginning this November.

Where do I begin?! When I joined Spudnik as Staff two years ago it was with much excitement. I could see that this space was full of energy, ideas and tons of community. Just how much I couldn’t possibly realize until I was thrown in full throttle….and what a ride it’s been!

The amount of growth I’ve witnessed and contributed to has been astounding—from the creation of our Fellowship program, adjustments to our Printing Apprenticeship, to the small behind-the-scenes shifts in how we approach many administrative tasks—it blows me away.

As I leave Spudnik as Staff, it is bittersweet, but also with much excitement. I take great pride in the ways I’ve helped shape Spudnik over the past two years, and I know that this truly amazing place only has more positive change in store. I can’t wait to see it, and be a part of this growth in other capacities.

I’ve learned so much from this position and from all of you who make Spudnik what it is. I’m looking forward to seeing friendly and familiar faces at the shop as I continue to teach and print at Spudnik. So…I’d rather not say goodbye, but rather “Cheers!” Here’s to a new chapter.

Veronica Siehl

Spudnik Press Cooperative is accepting applications for our Fellowship Program, our flagship opportunity for artists in a transitional point in their career to gain access unrestricted access to our studios.

This six-month program provides support for young artists through full studio access and professional development opportunities. Fellows will acquire Studio Assistance experience through monitoring one open studio session per week. Each fellow will also work closely with staff to develop and lead a Community Workshop at Spudnik Press.

In addition to monitoring one Open Studio session per week, Fellows will also take on leadership roles at special events, member meetings, and outreach efforts. Fellows will meet regularly to share artwork and support each others projects. The program creates accountability for the cohort of four fellows as they set personal goals, create healthy studio habits, and develop their portfolio.

Ready to apply? 

For details please download our Studio Fellowship Call Winter/Spring 2016.

To apply, download and return our Studio Fellow Proposal Form Winter/Spring 2016 and return to angee@spudnikpress.org.

Important Dates:

Deadline to Apply: October 18,2015
Fellowship Orientation: Tuesday, November 17, 5:45-8:00pm
Monitor Training: November 19-30, 2015
Fellowship Begins: December 1, 2015
Fellowship Ends: May 31, 2016

Pictured Above: Past Studio Fellow Ashley Shaul leading “Utilitarian Printmaking: Leather Keychains” community workshop.

On Saturday, September 26, Spudnik is hosting our Annual Benefit. We are seeking several volunteers to help us with this important fundraiser! Each volunteer will receive one complimentary general admission to Saturday’s event, plus a free drink ticket.

Multiple volunteer shifts are needed on these days:

• Benefit prep: 6-10pm, Tues. 9/22, Wed. 9/23 (and Thurs. 9/24 if needed)
• Day-of help: 2-11pm, Sat. 9/26

View all of the openings. Add your name and email address to the shifts you would like.

If you have any questions, contact the Volunteer Coordinator Megan Klawitter at megan@spudnikpress.org.
Learn more about the benefit & purchase tickets

On Saturday, September 26, the Spudnik Press 2015 Annual Benefit will raise an anticipated $10,000+ to support the mission of our humble organization. Now in our eighth year, we are excited to introduce a new component to the festivities, an exclusive dinner with select artists and curators at DMK Restaurant’s Ada Street on the Thursday preceding the auction, September 24.

The Artist & Curator Dinner is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to sit down with some of the Annual Benefit’s contributing artists and the Founder and Director of Spudnik Press, Angee Lennard, for an evening of conversation, great company, and great food. Tickets to this intimate dinner are very limited.

An Exclusive Dinner at Ada Street:

Ada Street, listed as one of Zagat’s 10 Most Famous Tables, will present a special wine and dinner menu specifically for Spudnik Press Cooperative. Ada St. showcases a passion for fresh, beautiful ingredients along with an exceptional list of spirits, wine, and handcrafted cocktails on an ever-changing, seasonal menu. The proud recipient of a Bib Gourmand designation by Michelin Travel & Lifestyle, Ada St. was profiled in Time Out Chicago’s 100 Best Things We Ate And Drank in 2012, named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants (2012) by Chicago Magazine, and received Best Chocolate Dessert in Chicago (2012) by Chicago Magazine. Designed by 2to5design, Ada St. is one of the most unique dining and entertaining venues in Chicago.

Who will be at the table?

Jason Pickleman is well-known in Chicago as an avid art collector and a trailblazer. His influence in pervasive, with Hyde Park Art Center, the Renaissance Society, and numerous other cultural institutions as clients of his design studio JNL. This fall, we will see his impact at EXPO Chicago.

Claire Ashley has had a stellar year of exhibitions in which she has blended performance, painting, soft sculpture, ceramics, fashion, and graffiti. Her work is currently on view in Detroit’s Youngworld International and was recently exhibited at the Chicago Cultural Center. At Spudnik Press, she branched out and produced a monoprinted dyptich that will be available through bidding at Saturday’s auction.

Richard Hull, recently interviewed by Inside/Within, is well known for his colorful crayon drawings and painting reminiscent of the Chicago Imagist painters, whom he has shown alongside at Phyllis Kind Gallery since the 1970’s. More recently, his work can be found at Western Exhibitions and his paintings, drawings and prints are in the collections of several museums including the Art Institute of Chicago; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Smart Museum, Chicago.

The table wouldn’t be complete with out Spudnik Press Founder and Director, Angee Lennard. Over the course of eight years, Lennard has established Chicago’s premiere community-based printmaking studio, a creative center that brings together hundreds of artists each year with a focus on collaboration among artists and creating a pipeline for anyone who wishes to be creative through print.

To wrap up the experience:

Each guest at Thursday’s Dinner are gifted two tickets to Saturday’s Preview and Benefit. This portion of our Annual Benefit invites our supporters to visit our studio, experience printmaking first hand, and spend time with the 35 artworks donated and commissioned for our silent auction.

Limited tickets are available for $250.

Purchase Tickets

Classes at Spudnik Press are a hub where individuals with diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and artistic goals can engage together and push each others creative practice. In our community art studio, we offer classes that introduce traditional making skills as well as experimental and cross-disciplinary artistic approaches. From printmaking to illustration, book binding, or self-publishing, our team of amazing teaching artists each bring their unique perspective to our classes and workshops. Would you like to join this team?

Proposals for Spring/Summer Community Workshops and Special Topics Classes are due Sunday, September 27 at midnight.

For all the details please download our 2016 Spudnik Call for Proposals. To apply, download and return our 2016 Spudnik Class Proposal or our 2016 Spudnik Workshop Proposal as well as our 2016-Class-Supplies Form. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.