press play print

When my friend and fellow South Portland Badger, painter Erik Weisenburger mentioned he was looking to make some small etchings, I asked Lisa Pixley if we could tour what I believe is Portland’s newest printmaking studio — Pickwick Independent Press. Located inside the Artist Studio Building (which Pixley co-runs) at 536 Congress Street, just a few doors down from Maine College of Art (MECA), and right above Portland art hub, Space Gallery, Pickwick Independent Press couldn’t be more centrally located in the heart of Portland’s thriving art district. As a printmaker and member of MECA’s faculty, I’m thrilled to have this exciting and well-equipped neighbor offering artists monthly membership through keyed access, as well as daily rates for those not looking for quite so much commitment. Peregrine Press has long offered Portland artists a lovely communal studio, but with the increasing ferment in print in this town, it’s great to see another state-of-the-art option cropping up.

In addition to two intaglio presses and a Vandercook SP15 proofing press, Pickwick has a silkscreen exposure unit and washout room as well as plans to expand its space to house yet more equipment in the works, including a large format relief / intaglio press and a hydraulic press Pixley is currently researching plans to build. (These folks are handy!) The mission statement offers a bit more specific info: “Our goal is to connect artists and printmakers with the incredible network of artmakers in the area, with the press acting as a well-appointed hub that turns print making into a collaborative event. The offering of facilities include, intaglio, letter press, silkscreen, darkroom, large washdown sinks, acid tanks, large work areas, some personal storage, and an assortment of hand tools. Programming will include tiered membership, workshops publishing opportunities and one on one assistance with your projects.” In addition to the peaceful space, comraderie with similarly serious cohorts, and carefully maintained equipment, members derive benefits that include the chance to exhibit work during the Artist’s Studio Building’s frequent and well-attended open studios nights.

As this post goes to “press,” Pickwick Independent Press still has some openings for new members to complement the community they have established in the brief time they have been open. You can download the application form here. If you don’t live in or near Portland, move here, or consider Pickwick’s model and start your own communal print studio wherever you are.