Corvidae Press is an association of artists who share an interest in fine art printmaking and who support and manage a communal non-toxic printmaking facility. Membership is based on an interest in non-toxic printmaking and a commitment to the cooperative structure and spirit of the organization. Membership is by initial approval by the Board, then by payment of the annual dues.
Corvidae Press was founded in 2006 as a nonprofit corporation governed by an elected board of directors, dedicated to the pursuit of the printmaker’s craft, with a focus on education, community, and regional interaction.
Our print shop is located in a wonderful space in Bldg 205 at Fort Worden State Park that we lease from Centrum (thank you Centrum!). The print room holds the three etching presses, inking stations, shared brayers & palette knives, other tools, storage boxes for individual guild members, and miscellaneous supplies. Our largest press is the 30″ American French Tool, in the middle is a 23" Whelan Press, and our small press is a 18" Ettan. There is also a "clean" room with a large photographic style sink, flat files, paper prep tables, etc. and a small developing room with two vacuum exposure units. Our Facilities page provides more details, and photos can be found in the Gallery.
Guild members have 24 hour access to the facility, so print-making is available except during scheduled workshops or occasional special events. Printmakers supply their own inks and paper, but many tools and supplies are included with the membership fees. Every member is issued a bin for storing their supplies and a share in a flat file drawer for paper storage.
Members meet at the print shop to print, and also to socialize, share new work, printmaking ideas & techniques. Board members serve three year terms and handle Guild administration.
The Studio
Press Room
- Three hand presses
- Counter space for work & inking stations
- Storage for member tools & supplies
Clean Room
- A 34 in x 68 in sink
- Work tables for trimming paper
- Paper storage cabinets
- Drying Racks
The Equipment
- American French Tool press w/ 52″ x 30″ bed
- Ettan press, 18" x 36" bed
- Whelan Press, 22" x 38" bed
- NuArc Image Developer (for photo etching)
- "Haskins Built" Vacuum Exposure Unit (for photo etching)
- Block printing press
- Proofing press
- Glass inking stations (6)
- Glass for plate prep station (1)
- Mat board cutter
- Drying rack
- Light box
- Heat Table
- Press Blankets
- Aquatint Screens (small & large)
- Large Flat files for paper storage
- Two drawer file cabinet
- Metal storage container for flammable rags, etc.
- Paper soaking & developing trays (various sizes)
- Vertical etching tray for ferric chloride
- Paper tear bar
- Stanley squares
- Metal yardsticks
- Metal straightedge
- Brayers
- Large roller
- Misc. inkers, barrens, etc.
- Pallette/ink knives
- Hair dryers
- Spray bottles (for water, vinegar, alcohol)
- Measuring containers & spoons
- Miscellaneous hand tools
- Miscellaneous linoleum cutting tools
- Bench hooks for wood & linoleum carving
The History of Corvidae Press
A rich history of artistic craftsmanship
The print shop and the big press (a 30″ American French Tool) have been at Fort Worden for many years (yes, a better history of the print shop would be nice to have!). Many artists used the print shop through the Centrum Artist Residency program, and other local printmakers gained access through occasional workshops and by renting the facility for a few days at a time. In 2003 Centrum encourage some of these printmakers to organize and make more use of this great studio, since the presses were getting so little use.
In November 2006 Corvidae Press was founded, and contracted with Centrum to lease the print shop. Activities and equipment were consolidated, and new darkroom created in one of the two rooms.
Since then the Guild has acquired a third (Whelan) press and a commercial vacuum exposure unit, along with flat files and a print drying rack. With 24 hour access to the studio, printmakers enjoy good use of the facility; they come and go at any time.
We have sponsored a regional juried printmakers’ exhibit at Northwind Arts Center, The Printmaker’s Hand, and coordinated several exhibits of prints by Guild members at local venues, including the Undertown Coffee Bar, the Salal Cafe, and in our own printshop during APT Studio Tours.
