OUr Programs

Youth Programs

The Mancos Common Press hosts youth groups and art classes from our area schools to share the experience of letterpress and the history of printing techniques and technology. Visits to the Press combine hands-on creative opportunities with a practical understanding and application of letterpress printing.

Youth activities are geared to various age levels and can accommodate groups of up to 10 students in the historic building and more in the Mancos Commons. Past projects have involved setting and printing type and image blocks, printing linoleum blocks, collaborative printing projects and creating posters.

Contact our Program Director for more info on bringing a class or youth group to the Press: [email protected]

Community
Classes

The Common Press offers a wide array of printmaking classes throughout the year featuring letterpress, block printing, printing on presses, hand-printing methods and more. Exploring the cabinets and cases in our historic print shop to find the perfect vintage image block or metal and wood typefaces is a special feature of taking a class at the Press and many of our classes incorporate this opportunity.

Our instructors have wide backgrounds in art making and printing, bringing many different approaches and creative ideas to their classes.

No experience is needed for most of our classes as our goal is to bring community together through creative experiences and printmaking. The best way to find out about upcoming classes is to sign up for our monthly Newsletter. Check out what’s currently on offer and register for classes on our Community Classes page.

Artists at the Press

Mancos Common Press provides several opportunities for artists to be involved at the Press.

The Press Club is our group of printers who gather regularly at the Press taking part in monthly printing get-togethers, volunteering for events, teaching classes, and generally helping to keep things active at the shop.

Artist Members pay a monthly membership fee to have independent access to the Press to work on their own projects. Requirements to become an Artist Member include: taking Letterpress 101 (offered four times a year), demonstrating proficiency in using the Press’ equipment, and applying for membership.

The Press hosts an Artist in Residence once a year and other opportunities for Visiting Artists. The Artist in Residence includes 8 days of solo use of the Press facility, housing, and a stipend. For details see our Artist in Residence page. Visiting Artist opportunities are shorter term and are available on a per project basis. Contact our Shop Manager to discuss proposals: [email protected].