Madison Print Cooperative is now Polka! Press

[Erica Hess]

Hello to everyone who has followed along so far - this is just an
update to let you know we've changed our name, and a few updates on
our current status.

The name change was a development due to taxing status. Although we
may some day take further steps to become an official Cooperative,
currently, shop development and art making has taken a front seat.
Legally we needed to be an entity that was not a cooperative. Ta Da!
Polka! Press was born.

Our mission remains the same, and you can visit our website for more
information: www.polka-press.com

What we have right now (Sept 2011):

* Showcard Sign Press (fit for simple letterpress; not significant
edition and relief blocks of type high)
* Small collection of wood and lead type as acquired with Showcard
Press
* Flat files
* (coming soon! hopefully by November, after we get new bulbs and
wiring done) Silk Screen workspace with light table (not vacuum, hand
built but sensible), washout booth with pressure washer, dark room and
large table with a maximum of 6 silk screen printing stations, screen
storage
* limited screen storage and supply storage
* Members supply their own materials in both stations (e.g.
screens, blocks, inks, emulsion, degreaser and reclaim agent, etc.
etc.)

Our membership dues are currently 40/month and with that you have
access during open studio hours (currently only Tuesday night from
6:30-9:00pm, though we are hoping to expand, please volunteer!).
Studio time can be reserved (we are not a 24 hour shop) with 48 hours
notice by contacting one of three officers.

Membership gets you this access to our studio, as well as a discount
on future classes (we are trying to set up silk screen 101 late fall
and relief if we can get a teacher) and an opportunity to sell your
work at our events (e.g. upcoming Gallery Night and any show or
fundraising event we schedule) as well as the opportunity to host your
own printing workshop or event and payment in exchange.

We are looking for members and volunteers! We really need help
developing the studio, acquiring equipment, learning how to use
everything and what would be a great help would being available to be
an open shop monitor on a new day on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. We
also need teaching artists for new classes, relief?, or workshops and
people to organize things for the space to generate revenue.

If you're interested, scheduling a tour and a meet-n-greet with our
officers would be a good next step since it'd help us know more about
you and you more about us.

Best!
PP

[lauren...@gmail.com]

Is this Polka Press still around-I'm moving to Madison and looking for a screenprinting studio. Thanks!