Events
Whether in the studio or out and about in Philadelphia, Second State Press is always finding new and exciting ways to connect with our community. Check back for updates on events, exhibitions, partnerships, and more!
Register for Winter & Spring 2025 Classes
Registration is now open for our printmaking classes taking place January - April 2025!
Take an Introductory class in Screen Printing, Letterpress, Monotype, or Etching. Or level up your skills with Intermediate Screen Printing!
Plus, we have unique offerings like Lino Block Printing on Clothing, DIY Pet Bandanas, Screen Printing for Folded Books, and more!
Print Making Communities
March is National Small Press Month, which typically highlights small literary publishers—who we honor and adore!—but as a gallery focusing on the visual arts, COMMONWEAL is reframing the idea behind these festivities to highlight some of the most dynamic local printmaking collectives and studios that make Philadelphia such an important center for print as an artform.
These small presses not only give professionals cooperative access to tools that are cumbersome to own and expensive to operate and maintain, but also open up printmaking to their fellow community members in order to educate about the technical processes of printmaking and celebrate its ability to express dynamic imagery and explore complex ideas.
The gallery is excited to host members and collaborators of BYO Printmaking Collaborative, C.R. Ettinger Studio, Pressure Club Artist Printshop, Second State Press, and The Soapbox Community Print Shop, whose prints will be exhibited and available for purchase in COMMONWEAL's design gallery from Thursday, March 6th through Saturday, March 29th.
2025 CRE Fellowship Applications are now open!
Hosted by Master Printer Cindi Royce Ettinger, the CRE Fellowship is awarded each summer to an artist whose work demonstrates an uncommon grasp of the printmaking medium and an influential and energetic approach.
The candidate chosen to receive the fellowship will be granted 24 hour access to the Second State Press facility for the one month during the summer, two flat file drawers in which to store paper and supplies, a modest stipend and all critical feedback that membership in a communal print shop like Second State Press provides. It is requested that two prints be donated to permanent collections belonging to C.R. Ettinger Studio and Second State Press.
Work Featured by 2023 CRE Fellow, Todd Stong
James Beard Foundation’s Taste America
Second State Press was asked to design and print tote bags for the attendees of Taste America, an event spotlighting chefs from the Philadelphia culinary community. Additionally, our team will also be tabling alongside other organizations in our community.
The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® presented by Capital One brings together chefs, special guests, and diners from across the country to celebrate the local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities.
The walk-around tasting at The Grand Belle at The Bellevue, in partnership with Cescaphe, will be an exciting gathering of chefs from the Philadelphia culinary community, with food stations hosted by TasteTwenty chef Randy Rucker of River Twice and Little Water and many other notable local chefs. Each station will reflect the chef’s signature style and highlight the uniqueness of their restaurant and community. The tasting will also have beverage stations and other activations from our national and local sponsors.
LOCATION
The Grand Belle at The Bellevue
200 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
6:00 P.M. ET - Premier
7:00 P.M. ET - General
More event Information here
Design by Jenn Jones
printPHILLY! 2025
printPHILLY! 2025
The third annual printPHILLY! print fair will take place April 12 from 10am-4pm at the the Parkway Central Library at 1901 Vine Street.
Summer 2025 Fob Applications are open!
Interested in joining us as a Fob Holder?
Each Fob Holder is given unlimited access to the facilities, storage for their materials, opportunities to sell and exhibit work and exposure to other artists at varying stages in their careers.
Fob holders play a key role in the day-to-day function of SSP by assisting other members, making sure that the shop runs smoothly and managing the monitor schedule. They are ambassadors to the shop and are knowledgeable in various printmaking processes.
Applications are due March 24th
Past & Current Fob Holders
Crit Club
Wednesday Feb 26th 6-8pm
Free and open to all!
Crit club is a fun & informal opportunity to talk about art! Attendees can bring art (finished, sketches, whatever!) in any medium for feedback & discussion.
February's Second Thursday @ Crane!
The past two valentine collage socials were so lovely we just had to bring it back!
Join us on February 13th from 6-9pm during Crane Arts Second Thursday to make some handmade valentines! Snacks, drinks, and a variety of collage materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own! This event is free and open to the general public.
See you there!
Call for Board Members
As we enter our 15th year of supporting Philadelphia’s printmaking community, Second State Press is seeking passionate individuals interested in contributing to our dedicated team of board members. This is a unique opportunity to become a crucial advocate for our local arts organization!
We seek strategic thinkers who are interested in working collaboratively to provide oversight and governance of a community print studio, contributing to fundraising efforts, and increasing community engagement, all while supporting our core mission.
Get all the details on our website and submit your application before Wednesday, January 15th, 2025.
SSP @ Art for the Cash Poor
Join Second State Press for InLiquid’s Art for the Cash Poor, right outside the Crane Arts Building!
SSP will be live printing tote bags to celebrate 25 years of InLiquid. We will also have affordable prints for sale by our members and fob holders.
Art for the Cash Poor is a free, family-friendly arts festival featuring 100+ local artists and makers activating the robust arts corridor on the 1400 + 1500 blocks of North American Street in Philadelphia on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 12:00 - 6:00 pm.
More information can be found at inliquid.org/aftcp.
