Three Big Years. Even Bigger Plans.

Three Years. Remember? We sat on the floor in an empty second floor studio and imagined-into-being the AS220 Community Print Shop. How to embrace new non-toxic Intaglio techniques or successfully share screen printing processes with The People? What does public access to a letterpress look like? Membership? Classes? Residencies?

Then we got to work.

Since opening in September 2007, we've introduced over 800 students from all over New England to the processes of Screen Printing, Letterpress, Intaglio, and more. In addition to our monthly classes, we've seen more than 9,000 active hours of printmaking, spaced out over 16 hours of press time available 7 days a week. Our core of Keymembers have provided guidance to our growth, while more than 225 annual members have signed up to print and monitor. Altogether, we've provided resources to 18 artists-in-residence, and published 3 Editions Projects - all in our tiny 500 sq. ft. space.

In the last quarter of 2010, we'll be moving next-door into our new home. Situated in AS220's newly-renovated Mercantile Block building, our expanded shop will occupy four times the floorspace, host a massive Takach etching press kindly donated by the Rhode Island School of Design, and include traditional intaglio processes alongside non-toxic grounds. Moreover, we'll be complementing our offset lithography press with traditional lithography, expanding our facilities for screen printing, letterpress, and more.

Celebrate with us as we host our 2nd Biennial Print Lottery - an event as epic as our new etching press!

In September, AS220's gallery will showcase prints and works on paper by 200 artists from all over the world. We're asking you to show your support for the shop with a $100 donation. In thanks, you recieve a ticket redeemable for artwork on display during the 2nd Biennial Print Lottery on September 25th, 2010. In keeping with AS220’s mission of accessibility and equality, and for the purpose of having fun, all artwork in the show is won by a blind lottery system.

Our Goal: to put together an exciting survey of contemporary prints / works on paper, cultivate appreciation for the art of multiples with an array of presentations, introduce print processes to the public with free workshops, foster a sense of involvement and ownership in the AS220 Community Print Shop, and raise $25,000 to help support all of our shop's operations.

If you are unfamiliar with the shop, read all about us and what we do; in short, we provide affordable, quality printmaking classes to a broad creative community, as well as open, unjuried access to an incredible array of facilities for members to practice printmaking.

Join us this September as we celebrate an incredible three years. In this time we've learned plenty, made a mistake (or two) and continue to try new things. We’re proud of where we are today, and even more excited about where we're moving. If you haven’t yet explored the AS220 Print Shop, this is a brilliant chance to get involved. Already a member, client, or fan of the AS220 Community Print Shop? Your involvement helps build the vibrant community art space we strive to provide. Please join us this September for our 2nd Biennial Print Lottery.

Interested in purchasing a ticket? Click here.

Interested in learning more about the events we've scheduled? Click here.

If you have any other questions, or might be interested in partnering with us as a sponsor,
please contact the Printshop Manager, Morgan Calderini at 401.831.9327 or email at morgan@as220.org.