Contact:
Lara Henderson, Printshop Manager
Phone: 401.831.9327 x201
Email: lara@as220.org
Office Hours:
Monday- closed
Tuesday - Friday 10am-6pm
Open Shop Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday 10am-10pm in four-hour blocks
(10am-2pm, 2-6pm, 6-10pm)
What kinds of printmaking can I learn or practice?
For even more detail please look for our full equipment list on our general info page here.
How do I come use the shop?
If you've never printed before, we recommend you sign up for a class. You can do that by following this link to our online shop. After you complete the class, you can sign up for membership and come complete print projects using the process you've learned. If you already have printmaking experience and want to sign up as a member to use the shop, or you just have a lot of questions, please come to an open house. They take place from 6-8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. In order to safely and effectively serve the needs of all our members, we need to see that you are technically proficient in the printmaking discipline you plan on practicing here, so please bring some prior work.
We've signed up for a class. What do we need to bring?
Each class description has some specific materials we request that you bring. When you sign up for a class in our online shop, be sure to read the list carefully.
What is a monitor? How do I become one?
Our monitor members are responsible for providing access to the Printshop, helping out with routine upkeep and collecting payment. Every month we schedule two Monitor Trainings and you will simply select one that works for you and sign up online. Monitor trainings last four hours and will teach you what you need to know to complete all your responsibilities as a Monitor here at the AS220 Community Printshop.
What about kids? Are young ones allowed?
At AS220 we pride ourselves on all-ages inclusively, so of course kids are welcome. We are developing a roster of classes specifically geared towards younger printers-in-the-making, but if you've got some kids hanging out (or helping out) that's the kind of community building we want here at the AS220 Printshop. Safety is a concern, and while our shop is solvent-free, there are some chemicals that require safety training. So, if kids are present, they must be well supervised. Also, AS220's Youth Studio, a program for high school students ages 15-21, has open studio access from 2-5 every Wednesday. For more information about AS220's Youth Studio Program, click here to visit their website.
Can my friends hang out / help out while I print?
If you've got a friend interested in keeping you company or racking wet prints, by all means, they are welcome at the Printshop. However, the shop is a shared space, and we ask that you be considerate of others and not monopolize the studio. Also, your membership is not an umbrella under which they can print, too. If they are interested in pursuing their own print projects, we encourage them to sign up for a class, or bring in some work and sign up as a member.
Does the AS220 Community Print Shop offer Handicap Access?
The Mercantile building, located on Martha Street, has full elevator access. Please contact us to see if we are able to accommodate your specific needs. We are committed to providing access for everyone and are happy to work with individuals on a case-by-case basis.
How many members do you have? How large of a population do you serve?
We have over 250 members and every year approximately 550 people enroll in one (or more) of our classes. Also, a group of youth ages 15-21 are here in the Printshop every Wednesday for our AS220's Youth Studio.
Where are you located, exactly?
We are located right in Downtown Providence, on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Mercantile Building on Martha Street.
If you checked out the topics above and your question still stands, please email: printshop-info@as220.org
