ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Artist in Residence Program

The Mancos Common Press’ ARTIST in RESIDENCE – Call to Letterpress Artists

Application Fee: $20

The Mancos Common Press calls all letterpress printers to apply for our Artist in Residence opportunity.  This 10-day residency includes full access to our historic printing facility located in downtown Mancos, CO.  Applicants are expected to have prior letterpress printing knowledge and be capable of working independently with our presses, type collection and other related equipment. In addition, our newly built Common’s studio has etching presses that can be reserved for your use. 

We encourage artists to examine environmental issues to promote dialogue and positive change for the natural environment at the local level and in the world at large. An environmental theme is suggested, not mandatory.

The Residency includes:

• 24-hour independent access to both press facilities
• All ink and press cleaning supplies
• 10 nights of lodging, walking distance to the Press
• $250 stipend

Residents are responsible for:

• All transportation to and from the Residency
• All food
• Paper (the Press has some available for purchase) and other necessary materials for their project.  (Please be advised that there’s not a good supply of materials available locally so it’s important to bring materials with you or have them sent ahead of the residency.)
• Specialty ink for etching presses

Residents are also asked to hold an open house and/or artist’s talk to share their work with the community and to donate 3 prints to the Press from their time in residence.

The following weeks are available for the 2024 residency:

• August 9 – 14
• August 19 – 28
• October 20 – November 6

The Press is located in the original Mancos Times newspaper building and our facility includes much of the equipment used to print the newspaper from its beginnings in 1910.  In 2013 a community group started the process of transforming the space into a community letterpress facility.  We now offer classes and events for the community and host a group of artists who use the facility for their own printmaking work.

Equipment at the Press includes: 1 Chandler & Price 10”x15” platen press, 1 Challenge 15MP flatbed cylinder proof press (14”x18” form size), 1 tabletop 5”x9” platen press, a substantial metal type collection and a smaller wood type collection, historic image cuts from the newspaper, furniture/spacing and all the necessary tools to set and lock up forms, several paper cutters, Boxcar bases and a set of Daredevil Furniture. In the newly built studio space there are a small and large etching press as well as a Chandler & Price platen press.

To apply, please complete the application and submit three to five examples of your work.  A proposal describing a well thought-out and achievable description of your plans for your time is an essential component of a successful application. We are open to artists working on on-going projects during their week here or taking the opportunity to explore new dimensions of their letterpress and printmaking work.  

The Press will provide an orientation to the facility and equipment, but all artists must be able to work independently toward their stated goals. 

Mancos Common Press is not liable for any injury or loss experienced by the artists while part of the residency. Mancos Common Press will not be held responsible for any physical ailment related to Covid-19 contracted by the artist before, during, or after the residency.

Application Deadline: July 15

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