Letter from Director Deborah Maris Lader

NEWS HOT OFF (AND ON!) THE PRESS

Current Events:

Hello everyone,

Whew! what a busy, crazy, frozen, productive, nutty time we've had in the ongoing blizzard of world and CPC events this past few months. Along with the yucky news of our economony tanking and our friends losing their jobs, we've also had the bright star of a new president and the renewed faith in the notion that we might take some responsibility for the hole we're in, and even help out our neighbors who need it. I must say that all this manic angst and re-thinking of priorities has provided unlimited fodder for the artists' craw, and I've seen some amazing creative work lately as a result.

Miraculously, we had more visitors to the CPC Small Print Show than ever before, and I'd like to think it's not only due to the affordability and gorgeousness of the work, but also to the fact that folks wanted to give their loved ones meaningful, hand-made, creative gifts this season rather than mass produced plastic stuff from Walmart. Of course, they probably mostly came for the free cookies and Julius Meinl coffee, but that's ok because we like making people feel all happy and sugar-buzzy inside.

This year, Sam Falbo's screenprints were a huge hit, along with Mary O'Shaughnessy's letterpressed cards and the beautiful card sets from Painted Tongue Press. We sold out of Jay Ryan's new print in about 10 minutes, and pretty much could barely keep anything by Hiroshi Ariyama on the wall. Megan Sterling's etchings and Eva Christensen's "Bunny" prints flew off the walls with regularity, and fans of Christine Gendre- Bergere's work were not disappointed. Christine and her husband Jean-Marie flew in from their home in Paris for our grand opening, and she was available throughout the weekend to show her new books and portfolios of etchings. Artemio Rodriguez sent new linocuts just in time for the opening, and we could barely keep them in the rack. Also for sale was Michael Hernandez de Luna's just-published book of his stamps, as was Michael Thompson's actual stamps.

Now folks, I should remind you that you can STILL get your paws on some of this stuff. Even though we're about to change shows, the CPC always keeps a huge selection of these small works in the drawers and on the walls of the upstairs gallery. You can still check out the popular etchings of Chicago cityscapes by Dennis O'Malley. Or the Rembrandt-like mark makings of Anatole Upart. Or the mastery of Misha Goro's engravings and etchings. Just come by Saturday or Friday afternoons, or make an appointment. Really, just call us and we'll be over there to help you faster than Rod Blogoevitch can jog over from his house around the corner!

The CPC would like welcome new intern Eden Lee to the fold and to deeply thank our veteran "head mama" intern Megan Sterling for her great ideas regarding all aspects of the studio - for all her hanging, sorting, greeting, printing, designing and general good humor. Megan, who is also a full time professor at Harrington College, is the curator for our upcoming CPC show "Rebellious Integration", which opens with a huge party and open house on March 28th. The exhibition is a portfolio of print artists from across the United States, created in celebration of the Southern Graphics Council annual conference, which will be held in Chicago March 25-29. The CPC will also be exhibiting an additional portfolio called "Global Fusion", curated by Maritza Davila from the Memphis College of Art.

The CPC would like to thank our Fall intern Eva Christensen. She was, well, AMAZING. We REALLY miss her!! Thanks also to Alex Chitty for lending extra hands when we needed her. Not many people have as many hands as Alex. She rocks.

Classes:

The group classes have been filling so fast, we barely have time to add them to the website after we send out the email to our mailing list. The bad news is that you may never hear about them unless you are ON our email list (with an updated address). SO...make sure you're on it by contacting us. This spring the CPC is offering group classes in both screen printing and etching. Our very popular Summer Etching Intensive has just been announced - sign up soon! Last year, this course was filled by March.

The shop has been busier than ever with new and veteran CPC printmakers. The CPC continues to offer private classes in all mediums. Fees are $125 for a 3-hour session one-on-one with a professional instructor. Call the shop or email us to set up your very own private class today! We would also be happy to accommodate small groups of interested students in tailor-made semi-private classes ($85 - $90 per student per 3 hour session).

Gallery visits:

If you don't think we're not having enough fun around the shop, then stop by to cheer us up anytime between 12noon and 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays, or call to make an appointment. You can buy stuff then too. Sales this year have been spectacular. This is because the work of our artists is stunning and varied and full of integrity and honesty. A salve for the crazy stuff going on out there in the big bad world...

Other Stuff, like THANKYOUS:

Special thanks goes out to the printmakers who make this place hop, and the wonderful work they've produced. CPC welcomes returning working member Bobby Sutton and new Inky members Bianca Juarez, Robbin O'Harrow and Eric Johnson. Special thanks to renewed Inky members Bev Keys, Sadie Gerbic, Peter Brickell and George Bodmer.

a BIG HUGE HONKIN THANKYOU goes out to Ken Taylor and his family for donating our brand new (old!) relief press. It really is very cute. Come by and do some letterpress on it, or print some type-high relief cuts.

ALSO: thanks to Julius Meinl for donating the coffee for this year's small print show. They very generously warmed up this side of Western Avenue for the whole two day opening. If you have not checked out their Viennese corner of the world at Montrose/Lincoln, then GO - it is yummy and wonderful.

In personal news, my band, Sons of the Never Wrong, is busy as ever, and we're working to crank out our 6th CD, which may be titled "On a Good Day, I Am". Maybe not. It's a mystery which will hopefully unfold in the VERY near future. Check us out on YOUTUBE.COM and myspace.

Please continue to write to us and ask us questions and visit us and take private classes and worksessions and keep us informed about what sorts of printerly things YOU are up to. Continue to check out our "Friends of Chicago Printmakers Collaborative" print club so you can choose your own home decor while supporting our programs and artists. Please come see us this spring. Please water your indoor plants. Please keep hope in your heart and help out a neighbor. Volunteer somewhere. Peace from all of us inky people at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative.

"The act of printing has always seemed to me a miracle, just such a miracle as the growing up of a tiny seed of grain to an ear-an everyday miracle, even the greater because it happens everyday. One drawing is sown on the stone or the etching plate, and a harvest is reaped from it." - Van Gogh

peace,

Deborah Maris Lader
Director
February 2009