AS220's Printshop got its start as the project of Mark Pedini, an Americorp Vista, in the basement of AS220's Empire Street building. The space was enjoyed by both novice and experienced printmakers as the only public community Printshop in Rhode Island until 2003, when increasingly stringent fire codes led to the closure of the Empire Street Printshop. The Printshop remained closed until 2007 when AS220 expanded into the Dreyfus building, purchased with a home for the Printshop in mind. It has since flourished, adding etching and letterpress equipment to the original silk screen studio and offering affordable classes in each method. Courses are taught by Key members and printmakers from the community.
The AS220 Printshop is entirely non-toxic, and no solvents are used in the processes. This eliminates harmful environmental effects commonly associated with printshops, as well as relieving health hazards for adults and allowing children to participate. The Printshop focuses on community and small scale craft, enabling supportive and non-competitive relationships with other related businesses. AS220's Printshop receives technical support, supplies, and repair and maintenance advice from local commercial printshops.
After less than a year in its new space, the Printshop shows great capacity for growth. Classes are consistently fully booked with a wait list a month in advance, and an additional letterpress remains in storage due to insufficient space. Also in storage is a donated lithography press. The Printshop's co-operative structure fosters community and pride among its users.
Learn even more by downloading our general information booklet!
The shop currently has one full time staff person, Studio Manager Morgan Calderini, funded through a government grant from AmeriCorps VISTA.
"VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a non- profit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, you'll create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty."
The grant funds the Studio Manager for an optional additional year, taking the shop through October of 2009 with a paid staff person. We are currently working to sustain the position after the VISTA time period is over.
Keymembers & Monitors
A Printshop monitor, keymember, or studio manager is available at all times to let others in, restock supplies, help with safety and health measures, and offer insight and experience.
We, the citizens of Rhode Island, associate ourselves for the purpose of providing a local forum and home for the arts, through the maintenance of residential and work studios, galleries, performance and educational spaces. Exhibitions and performances in the forum will be unjuried, uncensored and open to the general public. Our facilities and services are made available to all artists who need a place to exhibit, perform, or create their original artwork, especially those who cannot obtain space to exhibit or perform from traditional sources because of financial or other limitations.
Silkscreen
Two printing tables, 4' x 6'
Light table 24" x 36"
QTX elmusion/liquid spray remover
Print Yardage, Paper and Fabric
Letterpress
Vandercook Proof Press 4
maximuim printing area, 13" x 18"
2-Kelsey 5 x 8 Letterpress
Three cabinets of type
One case of ornaments
Three lead/slug cutters
Four cases of furniture
Large glass table for mixing inks
Two galley cabinets
Intaglio
Vertical Etching bath with ferric chloride 18" x 24"
Graves etching press by Rembrandt Graphic Arts
press bed 36" x 18"
blankets 36" x 16"
Oil based inks
tarlatin and taffeta
Non-toxic acrylic grounds, aquatint, stop-out
Airbrush and compressor for acrylic aquatint
Stripping solution for acrylic grounds
Brightener soultion for copper plates
Soaking bath
Print dryer
Newsprint
File
Brayers
Inking cards
Pallete knives
Hot plate
Other
Paper guillotine 19.5" wide x 30" length
two small paper cutters
cutting mat
48" tear bar
Biweekly Rag service
60" Matte Cutter
Storage shelf for keymembers
Imac with Adobe software
Epson scanner
Drying Rack
In Storage
Rembrandt Lithography press
6 lithography stones
AS220 Community Print Shop
95 Mathewson Street #210
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
401.831.9327 x 112
morgan@as220.org
1pm-1am, 7 days a week
FROM BOSTON: I-95 S towards Providence, RI. Take exit 21, then left at ATWELLS Ave. Take a left at US-1 N, turn right at BEVERLY St, left at WASHINGTON st, left at MATHEWSON, and we are the 2nd door on your left, buzz #210 to be let in!
Directions from the Providence Train Station
