Our courses and workshops support new and experienced artists in improving technical skills in the art of printmaking and are delivered by professional artist-instructors. Courses and workshops are available to take year-round at our fully equipped 4,000 sq. ft. facility, and are offered in a variety of traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques. These include; screen printing (introductory and advanced), aluminum and copper etching, relief printing, digital darkroom, letterpress, lithography and more. In addition, we host specialty workshops in advanced techniques taught by local and visiting professional artists. While some exceptions may apply, our courses and workshops are intended for adults and are kept small to ensure a high quality of instruction.
Course and workshop information is available here or in brochures that are hand screen printed 3 times annually in spring, fall and winter by staff and volunteers. These are disseminated by mail to members and in person in Winnipeg at other artist run centres, local shops and organizations. In addition to information on available courses and workshops, each brochure features news and information about our upcoming exhibitions, artist talks, studio editions, local and national events.
If you have concerns about the products used in our courses and workshops or are sensitive to certain chemicals, please contact us, or review the Studio Chemicals List here.
- Course fees include basic materials and equipment.
- Course registration requires a valid membership.
- Class sizes are small to ensure a high standard of instruction.
- We require payment upon registration.
- Registration fees may be refunded upon request (less a 20% admin fee) up to the start of the second class.
- If a course is cancelled a full refund will be issued
If you have any questions or wish to register for a course or workshop, please contact us at (204) 779-6253 or by email at education@printmakers.mb.ca
2020 Winter Courses & Workshops
Introductory Screen Printing (6 weeks)
w/ Lisa Mendis
Date: Thursdays, 6 – 9 pm.
Runs: January 9 – February 13, 2020 (6 weeks)
Cost: $250 + Membership*
For those who have never printed before or need a refresher on the basics, this class explores skills and techniques involved in this versatile process, which is capable of creating multi-coloured images on a variety of surfaces. Students will learn new skills and methods to achieve their creative goals.
Lisa has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Manitoba. She is a published illustrator, printmaker, art educator and comic book creator.
Introductory Screen Printing (8 weeks)
w/ Lisa Mendis
Date: Mondays, 6 – 9 pm.
Runs: January 13 – March 9, 2020 (8 weeks)
No Class February 17
Cost: $300 + Membership*
For those who have never printed before or need a refresher on the basics, this class explores skills and techniques involved in this versatile process, which is capable of creating multi-coloured images on a variety of surfaces. Students will learn new skills and methods to achieve their creative goals.
Lisa has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Manitoba. She is a published illustrator, printmaker, art educator and comic book creator.
Letterpress
w/ Sean McLachlan
Date: Wednesdays, 6 – 9 pm.
Runs: January 15 – February 26, 2020 (6 weeks)
No Class February 5
Cost: $225 + Membership*
Students will learn the basic principles & processes of type sorting & setting. They will gain an understanding for the methods of both proofing, and platen presses. Students are encouraged to gather words, poetry, and short stories to help create posters, cards, and other relief prints using this traditional medium of movable type.
Sean McLachlan is a Winnipeg based artist who recently completed a series of sculptures on Lily Street in downtown Winnipeg. Sean has worked at Martha Street Studio for 9 years and is using his art to explore the boundary between traditional and digital printmaking technologies, and is co-founder of Letter Peddler Press.
Cyanotype
w/ Sarah Crawley
Date: Saturdays, 10 am – 2 pm.
Runs: February 1 – March 14, 2020 (6 weeks)
No Class February 15
Cost: $275 + Membership*
The cyanotype process, discovered in 1842, uses UV light and a photosensitive solution to create deep blue images on paper or fabric. Prints can be made from film negatives, digital negatives, or objects. This course will teach the basics of making digital negatives, as well as making and toning cyanotypes. There will be lots of time for practice and experimentation.
Sarah Crawley has been making and exhibiting photo-based work for over 30 years and has recently started incorporating printmaking into her art practice.
Introduction to Etching: Copper Plates
w/ Nora Kobrinsky
Date: Saturdays, 1:30 – 4:30 pm.
Runs: February 1 – March 28, 2020 (8 weeks)
No Class on February 15
Cost: $250 + Membership*
Etching can result in prints of wonderful subtlety and richness. This course introduces the basic principles of etching. You will learn how to prepare your plate, how to etch crisp lines, how to produce areas of tone and how to introduce colour to your print. No prior etching experience required.
Nora Kobrinsky is a printmaker and painter. Her first experience of printmaking was a class at Martha Street Studio. Since then she earned her BFA Honours at University of Manitoba (2008) and has taken several more classes at Martha Street before becoming an instructor.
Monoprint
w/ Inga Torfadottir
Date: Mondays, 6 – 9 pm.
Runs: February 3 – March 16, 2020 (6 weeks)
No Class on February 17
Cost: $200 + Membership*
An introduction to monotype and monoprint. Various methods will be explored such as drypoint on plexi, stencil printing, viscosity techniques, transfer image and chine collé.
A printmaker, ceramic artist and educator, Inga Torfadottir has based her artistic practice in Winnipeg after immigrating with her family from Iceland in 1976. She studied Fine Arts at the Icelandic College of Arts and Design and Reykjavik College of Fine Art from 1968-72. Although her preferred method is monoprinting, she also uses a variety of other techniques such as linocut and copper etching. She has exhibited her artwork extensively both nationally and internationally since 1987.
Woodblock Printing on T-shirts Workshop
w/ Peter Graham
Date: Monday January 20, 6 – 9 pm
& Monday January 27, 6 – 9 pm
Cost: $100 + Membership*
In this two-day workshop you will learn how to create striking woodblock prints on t-shirts using cheap and easy to carve MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) and black Gamblin oil-based textile ink. We’ll provide the blocks, carving tools, ink and etching presses… you provide the t-shirts. If you’ve ever carved a Lino block you have the skills required, but even if you haven’t, this is the workshop for you!
Peter Graham is one of our technicians and he also plays with model trains.
Screen Printing Basics Workshop
w/ Alison James
Date: Saturday January 25, 2 – 6 pm
& Sunday January 26, 11 – 6 pm
OR
Saturday March 28, 2 – 6 pm
& Sunday March 29, 11 – 6 pm
Cost: $175 + Membership*
This two–day workshop will focus on the basics of screen printing including an orientation to the specific equipment and spaces used at Martha Street. Great for the beginner or to refresh your skills.
Alison James is a multidisciplinary artist and art educator based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She holds a BFA Honours degree from the University of Manitoba, and has exhibited her work nationally and internationally in galleries and film festivals.
Intro to Coptic Binding Workshop
w/ Debra Frances Plett
Date: Wednesday March 4, 6 – 9 pm
& Wednesday March 11, 6 – 9 pm
Cost: $125 + Membership*
Coptic binding dates back to the 4th century and is perfect for creating unique sketch books, journals, guest books or photo books. Because of its unique structure, the pages of a Coptic-bound book will lay completely flat creating a book that is flexible without sacrificing strength. In this workshop participants will create two books, one with customized covers using decorative paper and one with traditional wooden covers, binding them together using the two needle Coptic stitch.
Debra Frances Plett is a bookbinder and book artist drawn to the beauty, strength and versatility of the book. Her first experience of book binding was a class at Martha Street Studio. Since then she has earned her core certificate in book arts at MCBA in Minneapolis where she is currently pursuing the advanced certificate with a focus on historical bindings.
