Past MCBA Artists-in-Residence

Amanda Nelsen is a Massachusetts-based artist and teacher who works primarily with the book form. During her Spring 2010 residence at MCBA, Amanda created an editioned pocket-sized artist's book exploring our notions of "fine print" using paper made from pulped fine print inserts of credit card offer junk mail.

 

During his Fall 2009 residency, artist Cole Hoyer-Winfield produced a visual narrative made of dozens of hand-carved woodblock prints, based on the problematic and intriguing history of the Minneapolis mill district. The series was focused on themes such as the industry of representation and the press, seen through a surreal lens.

 

Javier Corral was artist-in-residence for April through July 2007. Javier is an accomplished multi-media and graffiti artist who has developed his skills in the book arts through MCBA's By Design Teen Artists program. During his residency, Javier created Cynical/Aspiration, a mural currently installed in MCBA's binding studio.

 

Frances Gordon traveled from Belfast, Northern Ireland, to work in the printing studios at MCBA in the winter of 2007. After graduating from the University of Ulster in May 2006, Frances received the Student Award from the Belfast Printworkshop. She specializes in printmaking and often constructs books from the prints she has made.

 

Chandler O'Leary (BFA, Rhode Island School of Design) is a book artist, graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, and the proprietor of Anagram Press. A 2005 Minnesota Book Award winner in fine press, her work is collected and exhibited nationally. During her three-month residency at MCBA, Chandler printed and bound editions of The Faery Gardner, a tale of modern witchcraft set in a Maine community garden; an overview of pagan spirituality (complete with gardening tips) conveyed through a story of growing kinship with a secret admirer. The Faery Gardener comes in a deluxe edition (30 copies) and a chapbook (60 copies). At the end of the residency, Chandler gave an artist presentation in the Performance Hall of the Open Book building.

 

During his residency at MCBA, Andy Farkas cut the woodblocks for the illustrations and printed and bound the pages for a book he wrote titled hmmm.... Andy's story is about a bear that tries to become a tree. Visiting MCBA from Asheville, North Carolina, Andy's work has been exhibited internationally, and he has received accolades in the form of guest lectures, visiting artist workshops and additional residencies for the development of further projects.

 

Dennis Ichiyama, Professor of Art and Design at Purdue University, worked in the printing studio at MCBA. During a two-week residency in the summer of 2006, he used MCBA's large collection of wood type to produce a series of prints. Dennis has been the recipient of NEH, NEA and two Indiana Arts Council Artists grants. In addition, he recently won a Rome Prize, sponsored by the American Academy in Rome, which awarded him a one-year residency.

 

In 2006 Paula McCartney used MCBA's photopolymer platemaker, the bindery equipment and the letterpresses to create a series of artists' books that combine photography and letterpress printing. Paula is the recipient of a Women's Studio Workshop Artist's Book Production Grant, a McKnight Foundation Artist Fellowship for Photographers, and an Aaron Siskind Foundation Individual Photographer's Fellowship Grant.

 

Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Artist-in-Residence Program

The Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program is designed to support selected artists by providing resources, space and equipment to assist in the creation and promotion of their work. In turn, artists provide technical and educational assistance to Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Residencies may be from two weeks to four months in duration.

Studios and equipment are available to facilitate work in papermaking, printing and bookbinding.

Participation in the program is based on the artistic merit of proposed projects as well as the degree to which artists further MCBA's artistic vision: to preserve the traditional crafts of fine printing, bookbinding and papermaking; champion book art as a vital contemporary art form; and demonstrate the critical role artists' books play in the advancement of cultural and visual literacy.

The Selection Process

Applications and supporting materials will be reviewed by MCBA staff and panelists from the book arts community. Criteria outlined below will direct the discussion. In the event that no viable candidates emerge, no residencies will be offered in the period.

Criteria Used in the Selection Process

A variety of factors will be used to assess residency candidates. Base criteria are listed below. These elements should be clearly articulated in the candidate's letter of intent, project description, artist statement and resume. They should also be supported by work submitted for visual review.

  • Technical expertise as demonstrated through the artist's body of work and practical experience
  • A readiness by the artist to be part of MCBA's community
  • The specificity and clarity of artistic goals as expressed through the artist's project description and artist statement
  • The artist's willingness to mentor and use interns in their project
  • The ability of the artist to represent MCBA in the national book arts community
  • Demonstrations of past collaborative work with other artists and arts organizations
  • The artist's ability to teach and share their expertise
  • The degree to which the residency benefits the artist's further development
Artist-in-Residence Benefits

The Artist will have access to, use of, and responsibility for MCBA facilities and equipment.

MCBA has an inclusive letterpress shop with six Vandercook proof presses (one specifically reserved for the Artist-in-Residence's use), two 19th century iron hand presses, a small etching press, sign presses, various platen presses, and a well-stocked composing room with wood and lead type. A polymer plate maker offers on-site production of both intaglio and relief matrices. Large bindery spaces offer two guillotine cutters, two board shears, nipping presses, standing presses, a paper drill, hot stamping press, backing press, book cradles, sewing frames, and hand tools. MCBA's two papermaking studios, each containing a hydraulic press and basic papermaking moulds, provide space for wet work. In addition, MCBA has a one pound Valley beater, a two pound Reina beater, a traditional Japanese formation vat, and industrial burner cooking station. MCBA also has equipment for traditional marbling, wood engraving, calligraphy, leather tooling, and alternative photographic techniques. The Shop, MCBA's retail outlet, offers a variety of supplies for printmaking, papermaking, and binding.

The Artist is encouraged to enlist one or more interns to assist with studio maintenance and/or studio production work.

The Artist is encouraged to submit workshop or presentation proposals to MCBA, with applicability decided by the Adult Programs Manager. The Artist would be paid by contract for teaching workshops at a rate equal to other MCBA instructors.

From time to time, Artists-in-Residence execute special project work for MCBA or other associated individuals or groups. Under these conditions, Artists-in-Residence are compensated at a rate equal to similar MCBA contracts. Special project work is dependant on demand and is not ensured for all program participants.

If the Artist chooses to market his/her work produced at MCBA through MCBA's Studio Shop, MCBA may choose certain works for sale on a consignment basis. Joint promotion may be undertaken depending on the availability of funding for the project and whether such a project fits into MCBA's programming.

Artist-in-Residence Responsibilities

The Artist will be responsible for keeping facilities and equipment clean for others' use and undertake regular maintenance and organizational tasks necessary for upkeep and communal studio use.

The Artist will provide his/her own supplies for works in progress.

With assistance from MCBA staff, the Artist will be responsible for assessment and selection of his/her studio interns. Initial contact generally requires a brief interview either by phone or personal meeting. The Artist, with the Artistic Director, will be responsible for task determination, scheduling, management and supervision.

Where possible, regular work hours should be established by the Artist-in-Residence.

A final project calendar should be submitted to MCBA at the beginning of the Artist-in-Residence's term.

Since MCBA operates under an open studio model, the Artist-in-Residence is expected to greet the public and give informal information sessions.

The Artist-in-Residence should show a willingness to conduct demonstrations and/or participate in MCBA programming such as family programs, custom tours, youth programs, etc.

For each editioned artwork the Artist creates at MCBA during the term of this contract, the Artist will submit two copies to the MCBA archive. Any material accepted shall be considered a donation and become the property of MCBA.

Application and Residency Timelines

Residency periods and deadlines are as follows, on a rolling basis:

  • Residency Period December 1 to March 31
    Applications with support materials must be postmarked no later than the preceding October 1. Residencies will be announced by October 15.
  • Residency Period April 1 to July 31
    Applications with support materials must be postmarked no later than the preceding February 1. Residencies will be announced by February 15.
  • Residency Period August 1 to November 30
    Applications with support materials must be postmarked no later than the preceding June 1. Residencies will be announced by June 15.
 

Download an Artist-in-Residence Application.

For further information about the residency, contact MCBA Executive Director Jeff Rathermel at 612.215.2525.

The following MCBA equipment is available to artists during their residency:

LETTERPRESS EQUIPMENT
8 Vandercook proof presses: a Universal I, a Universal III, 2 219’s, 2 No. 4’s, an SP20 and an SP25
2 19th century iron hand presses
1 Showcard sign press
4 platen presses
A well-stocked composing room with wood and lead type
An InterFlex BV photopolymer platemaker
2 light tables (1 lg, 1 sm)

BINDERY EQUIPMENT
3 guillotine cutters
3 paper cutters
2 Jacques board shears
5 Nipping presses
8 Standing presses
1 paper drill
3 Kwikprint hot stamping presses
1 backing press
11 Book cradles
7 Sewing frames
1 spiral binder
And a variety of hand tools

PAPERMAKING EQUIPMENT
2 Hydraulic presses
Various Western and Japanese papermaking moulds
1 one-pound Valley beater
1 two-pound Reina beater
1 traditional Japanese formation vat
1 Industrial burner cooking station
1 Japanese dryer

OTHER EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Marbling equipment and supplies
Wood engraving tools and inks
Calligraphy tools
Leather tooling equipment
Alternative photographic technique supplies

 

 
 

Minnesota Center for Book Arts
is open to the public seven days a week:
Mon, Wed - Sat: 10am to 5pm
Tuesdays: 10am to 9pm
Sundays: 12 to 4pm

Minnesota Center for Book Arts is located in
the Open Book Building in downtown Minneapolis:
1011 Washington Ave S, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612.215.2520
Fax: 612.215.2545
Email: mcba@mnbookarts.org

© 2011 Minnesota Center for Book Arts