Our 9 new classes and 16 new workshops present a wide array of opportunities for everyone with a creative itch to pick up new skills and make new art friend.

If you’ve never taken a class at Spudnik Press, there is no time like the present! For most our classes, no experience is needed. Plus, we keep our classes small to make sure that our teaching artists can get to know everyone and meet them were they are.

Sign yourself up or gift a class to a friend. Or best yet, sign up WITH a friend!

Brand New “Special Topics” Classes!

Hand Lettering *NEW*
Papermaking: Pulp, Sculpt & Print *NEW*

1-day Workshops Perfect to Gift:

Calligraphy Crash Course *NEW*

Relief Tester & Refresher 

T-Shirts & Totebags Workshop (Jan session)
T-Shirts & Totebags Workshop (March session)
T-Shirts & Totebags Workshop (April session)
DIY Valentines: Screenprint Your Own Cards
Make Your Own Wall Art: Chicago Edition
DIY Letterpress Coasters
DIY Screenprinted Tea Towels

Refresh and Refine: New Skills for Seasoned Printmakers

Screenprinting Refresher
Pre-Press Workshop: File Prep for Stress Free Printing *NEW*
Screenprinting 201: Color for Screenprinters

Core Classes & Workshops: Learn the Ropes & Get Authorized for Open Studio

Screenprinting Explorations (January session)
Screenprinting Explorations (February session)
Screenprinting on Textiles *Rarely Offered*

Bookbinding

Letterpress I: Wood & Metal Type

Risography 101 (January session)
Risography 101 (February session)
Risography 101 (March session)
Risography 101 (April session)

Not sure where to start? Test out 3 Processes in 1 Class:

Printmaking Foundations

 Browse All Classes & Workshops

Our one-time 10th Anniversary Campaign is 47% to our ultimate goal of raising $65,000 from individuals and businesses by June 2018. To stay on track with this ambitious but critical fundraising effort, we need to raise just $5500 by December 31.

What will we do with $65,000?

• Start a cash reserve fund so that we can weather the next unforeseeable hardship, be it a budget impasse or a broken press.
• Increase free and low-cost professional development opportunities for our members.
• Deepen and expand opportunities for professional artists through our Fellowship, Residency, and Publishing programs.
• Bring nationally recognized artists to exhibit, teach, and make prints in Chicago.

Support our 10th Anniversary Campaign

Ways to Support our Campaign:

1. Make a cash donation. Join our Giving Circle with a $250+ donation.
2. Become a Spudnik Press Member.
3. Contribute specifically to the Equipment Fund.
4. Ask your employer to become a Sponsor.
5. Add a $1 donation when you attend Open Studio sessions.

Donor Incentives:

First Time Donors:
Donate at any level to be entered in a raffle to win a Winter 2018 class or workshop or Spudnik Press merchandise.

Donors at $250+ Level:
As a member of our Giving Circle, you and a guest will be invited to our donor-exclusive Ink & Drink Art Party on Friday, January 26.

Make a tax deductible donation

Spudnik has your back this holiday season with 10 fabulous gift ideas that are sure to check at least one, two, maybe even three individuals off your wanna-tell-em-I-love-em list. Each item is made with love by a member of Spudnik Press or printed here at our studio. Thanks for shopping local and supporting your neighborhood artists and artisans. Here we go:

1) White Pines Letterpress Greeting Card | $4.50 each
Current Location Press | Raychel Steinbach Lauen

Inspired by White Pines Forest State Park in Ogle County, Illinois, the White Pines Greeting Card features the southern-most stand of native white pines towering up to an impressive 90 feet tall. Fill the card with your sentiments and send off with USPS. What a special occasion and a surprise treat to receive a literal work of art via snail mail.

2) Chicago Skyline Pulp Painting | $395
Lion of Bali Paper Arts | Don Widmer

This series of skyline is “painted” completely with pigmented cotton pulp on top of a base sheet made from abaca and may be perfect for that person in your life with deep Chicago pride. The process used to create this one-of-a-kind work of art references the blood, sweat, and tears that built the city itself.

24″ x 36″

3) Ten x Ten 2017 | $20
Published by Spudnik Press Cooperative

For the uber-contemporary loved one with eclectic tastes. The fifth and most conceptually broad iteration of Ten x Ten, ‘Ten x Ten 2017: Dual Practices’ brought together 10 notable Chicago artists who have robust practices in both visual art and music. The cassette features sonic works by each Ten x Ten artist pairing as well as a fold out booklet with their coinciding prints and descriptions of their works. This cassette/art combo is an engaging work of art & music, as well as a keepsake.

4) Black Letter Feminist Shirt | $20
Vichcraft | Jenna Blazevich

We don’t have to tell you who this shirt is for – they probably popped in your mind immediately. We will tell you that it’s a high quality soft style tee by Bella + Canvas. Unisex sizing.

Do good bonus!! Ten dollars for each shirt sold will go to Chicago Women’s Health Center, an organization that facilitates the empowerment of women and trans individuals by providing sliding scale access to health care and health education in a respectful environment.

5) Letterpress Enamel Pin | $10
Designed by Andrew Ghrist for Spudnik Press

The crowned fowl of Andrew Ghrist are a regal, yet humble variety. The qualities of these creatures are the very reason Spudnik collaborated with Andrew to develop an iconic mascot for our press and 10 year anniversary. Steadfastly perched on a pilot press, this enamel pin speaks to printers and lovers of print with respect to the tradition and process we hold so dear. Plus, pins are cool. Who doesn’t love pins?

6) “Hands” Screenprint | $25
Consume and Create | Maxim Barkhatov

This screen printed work reflects a contemporary pop style and a coming together of hands. Filled and outlined, it could be a union of our vibrant inner passion and the structure of our interaction. Or it could be a beautiful modern expression, period. This three color print (including metallic gold – oh yes!) is a sure win for the poster collector in your life. Frame not included.

7) Print of the Month Club | $25 each; $299 Annual Subscription
Published by Spudnik Press Cooperative

Each month, we release a new letterpress print on archival 100% cotton paper designed by a member of Spudnik Press Cooperative. Each print fits into an affordable 8”x10” frame. Grab the full portfolio so you can keep you favorites plus have gifts for all your friends. The full portfolio even includes two matching coasters for each artwork! Or buy individual prints a la carte.

8) Lil Chano from 79th Poster | $30
WalkterTKL

This limited edition screen print featuring Chance the Rapper is a must have for any screen print lover or poster collector – especially if they rep Chicago. If you are reading this, you probably know one. WalkerTKL is on a steady path upwards, so this gift/investment may very well keep on giving.

9) Back to the Studio Special: Membership + 3 Open Studio Sessions | $160

For your printmaking loved ones, studio space and time can be the biggest challenges when it comes to producing work. For your friends who like to try new things, different activities and experiences can challenging to come across if you don’t know where to look.  For you, because you used to print, got busy and want to get back into it. This combined one-year Studio Membership with three Open Studio coupons (covering both base and material fees) jumpstarts presence and creativity.

10) “Lady Musteline” Etching | $50
Carrie Lingscheit

How absolutely exquisite and a total steal for art and animal lovers alike!

This original etching is inspired by da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine.” All imagery is rendered by hand, incorporating traditional intaglio techniques of hard-ground and soft-ground etching, aquatint, drypoint, and lots of scraping and burnishing. Printed in oil-based etching inks on ivory Fabriano Rosaspina paper, this work was hand-pulled from a single copper plate using a Conrad etching press.

Browse Our Online Store

Holiday times are here! Join Spudnik Press staff, members, teaching artists, students, friends and family for a celebratory drink at Damen Tavern (formerly Bar Deville).

Tuesday, December 12, 8pm – midnite

Damen Tavern, 701 N Damen Ave between Chicago and Grand

Plus, this is a great way to meet our new staff, Marcela Serment, Mike Pennekamp, and Tara Zanzig!

We’d love to see you! RSVP on Facebook

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/

###

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