Newark Print Shop!

Newark Print Shop is among the many, many artist-originated spaces and projects that are part of Newark’s longstanding and ever-evolving cultural activity. And their Print Club on Wednesdays is the kind of thing that makes me say with pride, “We got that!” and makes other people say, with longing, “I wish I had something like that in MY town!” I love and cherish spaces, wherever they exist and however, they came to be, where everyone from serious fine artists to curious, creative people of any age, can co-exist, where everyone learns and has something to share. These kinds of spaces are welcoming and democratic and allow people to express themselves and gain skills, and I wish every town had lots! So if you are in town for even one night, try to make it a Wednesday, and stop by to learn how to make your first print.

I got the lowdown from Lisa Conrad, the artist founder:

Q: What is Newark Print Shop? Tell us what you do and how people can get involved or see art. Who is involved? Who makes it all happen?

Q: How did it begin? Every cool project usually has a great origin story- what was the inspiration or process that led to NPS being what it is today?

A: Newark Print Shop began in my​ former artist studio on Broad Street in Downtown Newark. After setting up my ​studio with print equipment​ I​ wrote a grant to support a printmaking workshop series for a small group of Newark high school students. With the support of the Newark Arts Council, students learned about papermaking, printmaking, and book arts.

Local artists in the community began asking me​ about the opportunity to use my​ space to learn printmaking as well, and the idea for an open studio night was born. A small flier exhibited at the Newark Public Library revealing the existence of a Newark Print Club decades ago confirmed this vision and every Wednesday night was coined Print Club as artists gathered around the studio to make prints.

NPS is now a fully equipped community print shop located at 304 University Avenue, across the street from Essex County College. NPS is still home to the weekly open studio PRINT CLUB.

Q: What is it like being an artist, educator, and arts administrator? How does one impact another, or not?

At the end of the day though, it is my strong belief in the shop and our mission that drive me to find the energy to just get done what needs to get done in order to keep the ship alive. I think that is really what drives all start-up, passion project initiatives like NPS; it’s that deep belief in the project that keeps us going at it every day.

Q: I see tons of photos of Print Club online- do you have a favorite story about something that happened or happens at Print Club?

A: One of my favorite things about the print club is that we usually have at least one person printing for the very first time, and I love seeing their excitement when they make their first print. We document this happening by taking their picture as they hold up their print, and then share it on our Instagram with the hashtag #firstprintever. 

At first, I had to really persuade my team that this space was even possible as a workshop space, but it was the only space we could afford, so we finally took it. And then the real work began! We gutted the space, tore down walls, ripped up carpet, sanded floors, took out the drop ceiling, installed new lights, and then moved really heavy equipment.

All of this work we did ourselves and with the help of very generous people who believed in our dream. For anyone familiar with printmaking equipment, it is super heavy, and we were able to source most of our equipment, including our etching press, letterpress, washout booth, drying racks, and Hollander beater as donations.

Evonne M. Davis and Emma Wilcox are working artists and cofounders of a Newark alternative arts nonprofit. Begun in 2003, Gallery Aferro offers exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists, a wide range of public events, a year-round studio residency program, educational offerings, group tours, a publication line, a gift shop, and public art initiatives.