Studio Two Three is an up-and-coming printmakers' group in Richmond- If you haven't heard of them before, you will. They are doing great things for Richmond's artist community, and we recently got the chance to learn more about what they've been up to...
We started S23 in January, 2008 after we graduated from VCU's painting and printmaking department. Initially, we intended it to be a shared studio space for a few printmakers. We noticed that there were no communal printmaking studios outside of the universities, and that our support structure and access to a community had disappeared since graduation. Our plan was for S23 to fill that void. Since then, things have expanded; we are in the process of filing for nonprofit status, we're moving to a much larger space in late summer that can accommodate a lot more artists, and we've started workshops, open studio hours and Monday Funday events – free demos, critiques, group projects open to the public. We keep everything super-cheap to ensure that young artists have access to a studio and a supportive community, and we're committed to giving artists a reason and a way to stay in Richmond and make great work.
Who do you envision participating in Studio Two Three sessions, events, and workshops?
We have a lot of different offerings for different levels of experience. Our Monday Funday events are free and open to the public. We host a variety of demos, informal “show & tell” critiques (and any other concept that fits in the “show” or “tell” category like artist lectures, movie nites, art swaps) and group projects – for instance, last night we made “Cap City Kills It!” a zine on everything awesome and not so awesome about Richmond. Everyone who came to the event made a page, and S23 directors will be creating a book from the resulting pages, available soon for $5 or under! Check out our website for a schedule of events!
We also have equipment for all sorts of printmakers, including equipment for intaglio, relief, screen printing, and in the summer we'll be adding offset and researching waterless lithography. Prices are geared toward younger artists – i.e., as cheap as possible! Disclaimer for older readers: we do not discriminate on the basis of age.
(current awesome space)Are you still planning to move into the bigger space at Manchester Flats this month? If not, when do you forecast that this will happen?
The new space will – keep your fingers crossed – be complete in late July, and we will be up and running by September. Until then, we'll be operating out of our current – and still super awesome – space at Plant Zero.
What excites you most about your new space?
We got to work directly with the architect and developer on the space, so it's built to be a printmaking studio. The space also comes with a grant of over $30,000 of printmaking and studio equipment – we'll be adding a 3rd etching press, a large vacuum exposure unit for screenprinting, and lots of new flat files and personal storage lockers among other things. The new space is in the Flats Factory, part of the New Manchester Flats development, a socially-green, eco-friendly build that incorporates income-based housing, an alternative care facility for the elderly, a community garden and pool, and artist studios and residency housing. We're really excited to be part of this new space, and to be part of a bigger, art-focused community within the space.
If someone wants to print at Studio Two three, what do they need to do? Can people just walk in off the street or is there paperwork they would need to fill out?
We personally meet with anyone interested in using the studio to get a feel for their interest and experience. We have open studio hours which allow people to walk in off the street and use the facility on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 6. This assumes that they have had previous experience using printmaking equipment; if not, we have low-cost introductory workshops for people new to printing. Artists who want to rent full-time receive a free introductory workshop to orient them to the studio. Everyone who uses the equipment signs a waiver, and renters sign a contract for the term of their rental.
In your vision statement, you talk about “supporting innovation and experimentation.” What are some examples of this already happening at Studio Two Three (techniques, specific artists' works as examples, etc.)?
We are experimenting with DIY substitutes for traditional printmaking materials, such as using Future Floor Polish and ink in place of hard ground. Projects such as the Mixtape Portfolio allow people to explore the idea of the multiple and the combination of art and music in innovative ways. Exhibitions and shows are another way we attempt to innovate; for instance, Ed. 1, The VCU Printmaker's show is installed within the print studio rather than in a formal gallery setting to display product and process side-by-side. We are committed to “awesomeness” for lack of a better term – we have an awesome community of artists working and sharing knowledge in the studio. The Monday Funday lectures, critiques and demos are a way for artists to share ideas and information that can benefit others, and are totally free, allowing access to information that many other organizations treat as a commodity. As a group of artists, we are passionate about contributing to the Richmond community and enabling one another to make more and better work, and Studio Two Three provides a place for this to happen, and a community for young artists to take part in.
Is the next “Mixtape” project already in the works? What other projects or exhibitions should we be on the lookout for?
The Mixtape project is in the works; we are kicking around a number of ideas for the project. We are also open to new ideas – anyone who has an idea to base the Mixtape project around, feel free to contact us! The exhibition will be in October; updates will be on our website.
Images from "Mixtape Two Point Woah":
Within your vision statement, you also mention that Studio Two Three will “encourage artists to make and talk about art by hosting monthly artist critiques.” Have any critiques happened yet? Who may participate in future critiques?
We have started the Monday Funday events, which include “Show & Tell” informal critiques. The schedule for the next two months of Monday Funday's is on our website; the next critique will be on Monday the 24th. The critiques are open to anyone who wants to come!
What else should Richmond know about Studio Two Three?
We are in the process of filing for nonprofit status, and have an incredible group of hardworking people on our Board of Directors; this is shout out time – thanks to John Blatter, Bird Cox, Tyler Dawkins, Emily Gannon, Andy Kozlowski, Jackie Mancini, Andrea Napolowski, Bill Parkhurst, Max Perry and Jake Urbanski for all of your work – most of these people are amazing artists, too – check their work out!
We also have the option of membership for non-artist community members who want to support Studio Two Three; members receive a variety of benefits, from newsletters, to discounts on workshops, to prints. Our website has more information on memberships.
The biggest focus of Studio Two Three is to provide an accessible, affordable studio for young and emerging artists; we are a supportive community enabling Richmond artists to make great things.
Many, many thanks to Sarah Watson and Ashley Hawkins for taking the time to answer all of our questions. And if you didn't click on any of the above links yet, what are you waiting for?!?! Studio Two Three's awesome website provides a wealth of information about what they're all about and how you can get involved in this great RVA creative community.
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