Before you contact us, please, scan this list to see if we've already addressed your question. Thank you from the team here at the AS220 Community Print Shop.
What kinds of printmaking can I learn or practice? We offer two Screen-Printing stations, a Vandercook letterpress, and solvent-free etching / intaglio. 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 store. 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 6-8p.m. on the first Monday of every month (except Holidays). 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. The open house is a great time to see the space and facilities, have specific questions answered, sign up for classes or membership, or learn a bit more about printmaking before you dive in.
We've signed up for a class, what do we need to bring? Each class description has some specific materials we request you bring. When you sign up for a class in our online store, be sure to read the list carefully, and if you still have questions, send them to printshop_classes@as220.org
What is a monitor? How do I become one? Our member-monitors are responsible for providing access to the printshop, routine upkeep and collecting payment. After signing a Member-Monitor contract, our Member-Monitors go through an orientation program. Every month we schedule a menu of Monitor Trainings and you will simply select one that works for you. Monitor trainings last about an hour and will teach you what you need to know to complete all your responsibilities as a Monitor here at the AS220 Community Print Shop.
What about kids? Are young ones allowed? At AS220 we pride ourselves on all-ages inclusivity, 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 Print Shop. Safety is a concern, however, 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, Broad Street Studio, AS220's Program for High School Students ages 15-21, has open studio access from 5-9 every Friday, which is facilitated by two of our Keymembers. For more information about AS220's Broad Street 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 Printshop offer Handicap Access? The Dreyfus building, located at 95 Mathewson 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 happy to work with individuals on a case-by-case basis. Contact Printshop_info@as220.org
How many members do you have? How large of a population do you serve? We have over 160 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 Print Shop every Friday for our Broad Street Studio open hours.
Where are you located, exactly? Can I get directions? What about parking? We are located right in Downtown Providence, on the 2nd floor of the Dreyfus Building, 95 Mathewson Street. For a map view, please take a look at our General Info page and scroll down to find the Directions and Parking sections.
If you checked out the topics above and your question still stands, please email: printshop_info@as220.org
