New Community Print Shop Set to Open in Port Townsend, Empowering Local Artists of All Ages
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Heidi Tucker (L) and Claire Ragland in their future community print shop. Photo by Nhatt Nichols [/caption]
“Over here is where our community meeting room and zine library are going, then in this room, we’ll have a darkroom space.” The sound of Claire Ragland’s voice echoed through the mostly empty 2,600 square foot printmaking space that she, Heidi Tucker and Erika Ensminger are opening.
The three women specialize in different printmaking and photographic mediums and have been dreaming of having a community print shop where they can share their specialist knowledge with the community. After two years of searching, they finally found the perfect location on Otto Street, and they are now working hard to get the space ready for all of the equipment needed to run a community print shop.
The shop will include silkscreen equipment, etching presses and tanks, and a full photographic dark room. Alongside offering a membership for equipment use, they intend to have open shop hours staffed by volunteers to help people who aren’t experienced with the specialist equipment learn to make art in new ways.
It’s one of their goals to create a space that’s accessible, affordable, and a great environment to learn in for people who may not normally have the resources to access art making.
“A lot of working-class people in town can’t afford the workshops and classes that are offered through Northwind. They're a great organization, but I just feel like it's not as approachable as having something that's 24/7 that people can just come to,” Tucker said. Her experience as an artist, printmaker, wallpaper hanger, and new mom has made it clear that there needs to be a flexible space for artists who have a lot to balance in their lives.
This print shop isn’t just a space for busy adults, however. Both Ragland, who is a tattoo artist as well as a printmaker, and Tucker expressed a desire to involve local young people.
“Right now, we're just kind of one step in front of the other, but a major intention when we were embarking on this is to find a space where we could bring in youth groups, work with schools, and have youth programming,” Ragland said.
Tucker, who grew up in Port Townsend, added, “As a very unhappy teen here, I would have loved having [a space] inviting people under 18 to bring your cool drawing, and we'll help you make a screen.”
They are still working out the membership structure for the space, but hope to be able to offer a few different levels that will suit all types of budgets and printmaking experience levels.
They are currently looking for donations of both equipment and money to help get the project ready to welcome its first artists into their workshop. You can find a list of their equipment needs on their GoFundMe page.
The space will be open to the public for the first time this Saturday, May 17, for their housewarming party at 321 N Otto Street. Join them from 4-7 for a potluck, and from 7-9 to hear live music from Sam Chonko, Earth of Foxes, and Rowan Katz.
