In a 6700 square foot building in Buffalo, New York, you’ll find Mirabo Press; an independent fine art printmaking studio dedicated to expanding the local art scene by collaborating with both regional and national artists. Offering artist residencies, a collaborative printing service, workshops, and a gallery space, the press provide a clean and bright space, tools, and expertise for new and evolving creative work to happen.
Mirabo Press was founded by a trio of artists; Rachel Shelton, Mizin Shin, and Bob Fleming, all of whom have varying fine arts training. Rachel works a full time artist as well as running and printing for folks at Mirabo; Mizin has worked as a graphic designer, printer, and is now full time faculty at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, also while maintaining an art practice; and Bob spent many years as a practicing lawyer and now works as a printer for artists at Mirabo, all whilst still maintaining an art practice through painting, drawing, and printmaking.
Artist residencies are one of the key parts of Mirabo Press’ offerings. Sometimes, these include edition printing, but most often involve play, experimentation, and facilitating growth in an artist’s practice or specific body of work. Rachel tells us; “Sometimes artists come to us to prepare for an exhibition, sometimes to work on a new idea, sometimes to make specific work, and sometimes just to learn and play.” Interested creative folks can apply on an individual basis (their applications are rolling), but Mirabo also collaborate with institutions to bring artists from all over the world in for some print time while they learn, work on exhibitions, or public art works.
The studio have also formed their take on printing for artists via what that they have called “collaborative contract” printing. This means they don’t do any kind of reproduction, instead working with artists to make something brand new through a truly collaborative process. As well as residencies and printing services, the studio also host small batch workshops, private events for sharing the magic of printmaking, and a gallery space.
Mirabo have worked on projects ranging from traditional print, to ideas that are way-out-there. Some highlights include printing editions with Kool Aid, and using chemical reactions to print sweat from clothing. “We’ll try anything that won’t damage our equipment,” says Rachel. She continues; “Experimentation and pushing the medium forward are core to our practice. We like to create alternate combinations of processes and get happily lost in the details of finding ways to register editions across various tools. Our best work happens when we’re able to spend real time with an artist, get to know their practice, and can help guide them towards processes that might bring something new to their proverbial toolbox.” As the founders are all artists themselves, they can also help with the conceptual development of new print work, as well as how to choose the right medium to fit the idea.
The studio is fully equipped for any process done on an etching press as it is home to a beautiful 44”x80” Takach floor model, as well as a hand made, medium sized etching press. Relief, copper etching, pressure printing, embossing, monotype, and more, all take place in the space. They are also fixed up for considerable sized screen printing with a large exposure unit and a one arm press. Not only do Mirabo make traditional screenprint editions, but they use their facilities to make photo etchings as well as printing on less traditional surfaces like windows. Keen to combine digital and manual processes when the project calls for it, the studio also hosts a digital printing lab which includes a 36” printer that they use to make positive films, as well as a distinctly high quality 17” printer. As Rachel is also an enamelist, they are equipped with a 14”x14” enamelling kiln and offer a unique service of striking small/medium sized etching plates by turning them into an original glass work.
“Working with artists and being let into that vulnerable state of ideation is endlessly inspiring,” summarises Rachel. She describes; “We love to facilitate the creation of an artists’ work in a way they haven’t experienced before. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing an artist moved by their own new work, or seeing the way their mind wraps around a new set of options that they can always pull from moving forward. We just want to keep doing this, through as many artist residencies and collaborations as possible.”
Mirabo Press is not an invite-only print house. They love receiving requests from folks all over the region, country, and world, and always try to find a way to work with good people. Applications for residents are always open at: www.mirabopress.com/residencies.
@mirabo.press
www.mirabopress.com
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