We had so much fun at our first Member Bookbinding Social! Spudnik members volunteered on a Friday afternoon to help staff make spiral notebooks by hand.

A variety of designs were available for the covers, pages, and we had colorful coils to choose from. A second session of the Member Bookbinding Social is taking place on Thursday, November 7 at 5:30pm! Join us for a fun, creative evening and help us prepare more handmade creations to bring at upcoming offsite events.

Signing up for a Studio Membership supports Spudnik Press through an annual gift that provides the organization with a predictable stream of funds for programs and artist opportunities. Not a member yet? Become a member today!

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Programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Driehaus Foundation, and the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

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 was delighted to take part at the recent Chicago Artist-Run Spaces Fair last September 25th!

Through this event, SITE Galleries kicked off their 30th Anniversary in collaboration with Career and Professional Experience (CAPX). Artist-run spaces throughout Chicago (including Spudnik Press!) were invited to join in celebrating their histories, programs, and exhibitions, while exposing their students to the range of opportunities in the Chicago art world.

It was fun to meet the SAIC community and chat with them about the programs and facilities that we offer at Spudnik Press. It cemented the importance of having an accessible space such as Spudnik to support artists with a reliable and affordable resource to continue their practice.

This year’s Annual Member Meeting wrapped up on a very creative note with painterly screen prints made by our community members, board, and staff!

As a member-based organization, community participation is essential. Membership meetings are scheduled with agendas ideally determined by member input. This is also a time for studio members to meet the nominees running for Board Membership, both new and those who are up for re-election.

Member Meeting 3-5pm | Agenda: 

• Welcome | 2:45 – 3:15pm
• Business Affairs | 3:15 – 4:00pm
  • Board of Directors Update: Patti Swanson
  • ED Hiring Update: Kristen Campos
  • Staff Update: Yang Pulongbarit-Cuevo
• Board Elections
• Call for Volunteers
• Comments & Questions
• In Memoriam: Patrick Hogan | 4:00 – 4:15pm
• Studio Fun | 4:15 – 5:00pm
  • Snacks & beverages provided
  • Monoprint community activity
  • Chat with your fellow Spudnik members

Signing up for a Studio Membership supports Spudnik Press through an annual gift that provides the organization with a predictable stream of funds for programs and artist opportunities. Not a member yet? Become a member today!

Support Spudnik by Becoming a Member

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Programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Driehaus Foundation, and the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

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

Thank you for dropping by and supporting our Studio Sale last September 6th!

Guests got great deals on screens, Spudnik merch, prints, zines, and more. They were also able to create a letterpress print of their own guided by Teaching Artist Wes Kendall. We have a few screens that are still available for sale and if you are interested, please email us at info@spudnikpress.org for the price list and inquiries.

Purchases during our Studio Sale will help Spudnik’s operational expenses and fund some of the new merch that staff is planning to launch soon! We hope you had an amazing time participating at our letterpress demonstration and getting great deals on prints, merch, screens, and more.😊 Until next time!

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Programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Driehaus Foundation, and the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

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 is excited to announce the launch of the MAKE/MADE at Spudnik Program, a dual initiative designed for both beginners and experienced printmakers.

The MAKE at Spudnik Workshop Series offers free or donation-based beginner-friendly printmaking classes as an effort to reach more print-curious audiences and provide an opportunity for interested participants to experience printmaking basics without the financial barrier to learning.

As an extension of the workshop series, we are also offering free/donation-based Authorization Sessions and Studio Access Trainings for experienced printmakers so they can get started with using our facilities for their projects. This encourages creativity and accessibility, bringing new artists into the fold while supporting established printmakers.

The MADE at Spudnik Event Series extends the experience by featuring pop-up group shows. Based on Spudnik’s long-running #madeatspudnik social media campaign, artists can showcase their work created at the studio, providing them a platform to share their creations and collaborate within the community.

The Workshop Series Schedule:

September 24 – Monotype Printing

October 20 – Drypoint Printing

November 10 – Lino Block Printing

December 10 – Basic Bookbinding

December 15 – Monotype Printing

The series of MADE at Spudnik pop-ups will be announced separately as each events are booked and prepared. This initiative strengthens the printmaking community while offering participants an opportunity to grow their skills and exhibit their work.

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Programs at Spudnik Press are partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Driehaus Foundation, and the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

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

Spudnik Press was delighted to host Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago for a private screenprinting workshop!

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago develops grassroots leaders to lead campaigns to achieve racial equity through base-building programs that center the experiences of those directly affected by the issues in the Asian American community.

Their youth group, KINETIC, recently graced our studio and learned screenprinting on paper with Spudnik Press Teaching Artist Rob Kelsey.

KINETIC is Advancing Justice Chicago’s civic leadership program for high school English language learner youth in Chicago. They build a community for, and increase the visibility of Asian American and immigrant students in Chicago.

If your organization, business, company, group of friends, etc. would like to have a private workshop at Spudnik Press, send us an inquiry here for rates and details. We’d love to have you!

Spudnik Press was delighted to host Wild Yams: Black Mothers Artist Residency for a Subsidized Workshop!

The workshop focused on screenprinting on paper to add another skill to the toolbox of their artist community. They believe that learning printmaking will offer a way for artists to create multiples and share their ideas or work widely.

Our friends from WILD YAMS shared these incredible photos from the workshop and we are delighted to see what they were able to create!

About the Program:

Subsidized Workshops at Spudnik Press aim to provide organizations with the opportunity to explore the art of printmaking in a supportive and creative environment. Each workshop will be taught by a resident Teaching Artist at Spudnik Press and participating organizations may choose from an array of printmaking topics or techniques.

Wild Yams: Black Mother Artist Residency

WILD YAMS: Black Mothers Artist Residency provides Black Mother Artists and Caretakers the opportunity to focus and recenter their artistic practice and grow their creative careers. WILD YAMS is an art residency experience designed to support and uplift artist’s access to creative equity on the South Side of Chicago.

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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 is continuously seeking new Board Members! 

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

Spudnik Press was delighted to host 33rd Ward Working Families for a Subsidized Workshop!

The workshop focused on screenprinting on paper with the goal of helping our recipient organization to improve the DIY runs of prints that they have been making to promote progressive political campaigns. They have been making their own prints with knowledge that is pieced together, and learning from our workshop will help them make better/stronger screenprints in a more efficient way.

Our friends from 33rd Ward Working Families so generously shared the memorable moments they captured during the workshop and we are thrilled to share them with you.

About the Program:

Subsidized Workshops at Spudnik Press aim to provide organizations with the opportunity to explore the art of printmaking in a supportive and creative environment. Each workshop will be taught by a resident Teaching Artist at Spudnik Press and participating organizations may choose from an array of printmaking topics or techniques.

About 33rd Ward Working Families:

33rd Ward Working Families is an independent political organization that builds political power through advocacy and education around daily issues that affect the material well-being of residents of Chicago’s 33rd Ward. The 33rd Ward covers the neighborhoods of Albany Park, Avondale, Irving Park, and Ravenswood Manor.

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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 was delighted to host Chicago art collective SUBlvl for two engaging Artist Talks as part of their series of events in conjunction with their Community Zine Archive, RCHVL: World View. These events, featuring Iicky Belmontes and Nneoma Ohale, as well as Samm Lee and Cece Alonzo, were a testament to the power of art in fostering dialogue, inspiration, and connection.

June 11 Artist Talk with Iicky Belmontes and Nneoma Ohale

This series of events kicked off with an Artist Talk held on June 11th, welcoming the voices of Iicky Belmontes and Nneoma Ohale. Both artists delved into their unique artistic journeys, sharing insights into their creative processes and the stories behind their works.

June 25 Artist Talk with Samm Lee and Cece Alonzo

Spudnik Press was thrilled to host the concluding event for this series on June 25th, with another compelling Artist Talk featuring Samm Lee and Cece Alonzo. Proceeds from Alonzo’s zine sales during this event benefited the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.

About the Organization:

SUBlvl is a collective that aims to amplify the voices of minority creatives and world thinkers through meaningful collaboration and creative direction. This is a safe space for all bodies where no story goes untold, no voices go unheard, and everyone gets their flowers.

Spudnik Press was honored to take part at Fulton Market Design Days from June 10 to June 12 courtesy of Oetee! 

For 3 vibrant days in the heart of Chicago, Spudnik Press brought the magic of screenprinting to life at Fulton Market Design Days with an interactive demo. Participants had the opportunity to try their hand at screenprinting, guided by Teaching Artists Anders Zanichkowsky and Rob Kelsey.

Attendees were thrilled to take home their very own screenprinted t-shirts and posters featuring an amazing graphic design created by Bagman Studios, a tangible reminder of their creative experience.

About the Event:

Each June, over 40,000 people from across the global design community gather in Chicago for the Fulton Market Design Days to celebrate the latest in design and architecture, sharing product news and participating in a variety of events across the Windy City. The Fulton Market District welcomes top design professionals and enthusiasts to enjoy product launches, exhibits, and events.

About Oetee:

Oetee is a full-service design and fabrication company dedicated to crafting branded environments. From conception to construction (and often beyond), they collaborate with clients to achieve spatial success.

We had an absolute blast on May 26 at Spudnik Press for the launch of SubLvl Zine Series 2. The event drew a vibrant crowd of zine enthusiasts, artists, and supporters, all eager to celebrate the latest edition of this exciting publication.

The turnout was amazing, with a diverse mix of people coming together to support the zine and its contributors. The enthusiastic crowd underscored the strong sense of community and shared passion for independent publishing and DIY culture.

For those who couldn’t make it to the event, we captured many great moments shared below, and we also invite you to attend tomorrow’s Artist Talk featuring SUBlvl artists iicky Belmontes and Nneoma Ohale — a panel discussion in conjunction with their work for RCHVL Series 2: “World View.” This event is free and open to the public.

About the Event:

RCHVL is a community zine archive produce by SUBlvl in partnership with Spudnik Press and a cohort of Chicago designers, artists, and writers. This event marks the launch of their second series, “World View.” Using zine as a medium, featured artists tell about their lived experiences, upbringing, and memories have impacted their understanding of the world around them.

The launch featured work by Wuraola Adeniji, Celine Alonzo, iicky Belmontes, Trevon Coffee, Chris Lee, Samm Lee, Nneoma Ohale, Daniel Ponce, Makafui Searcy, Malik Sims, and Messejah Washington.

Treats for purchase were provided by Chunky’s Treats and tunes were courtesy of Dondarii.

About the Organization:

SUBlvl is a collective that aims to amplify the voices of minority creatives and world thinkers through meaningful collaboration and creative direction. This is a safe space for all bodies where no story goes untold, no voices go unheard, and everyone gets their flowers.