Calling for Studio Partners: Letterpress Book Arts Studio in Middletown, CT
In progress: an expansion of the studio identity — in terms of who’s involved, what’s happening, reshaping ways to generate income, and offering new opportunities for others to enjoy the studio. I’m especially looking (not exclusively) for studio partners who are curious about participating as team members, leading it forward to a team-determined, not yet known next chapter.
If you are looking for a collaborative, well-equipped shared studio space in Connecticut, and have some skills and experience as a book artist, letterpress printer, bookbinder, graphic designer or printmaker, I welcome you to come check out the studio, and explore how you might want to participate. Studio partners would contribute to studio upkeep, overhead costs* and/or barter for trade**. When you arrive, you may well have a similar experience as most first-time visitors: eyes widening, jaw dropping, stillness and/or a few moments of silence.
When & where: 2026 / Middletown CT, long-term studio location of Robin Price, Publisher
Studio Snapshot
1500 sq ft letterpress book arts studio, with loading dock, in a historic textile mill
Quiet, secluded neighborhood with a waterfall/old dam, pond with frog chorus, and paths along the gentle Coginchaug river behind the mill. Yoga studio adjacent.
Ten minutes from a bustling historic New England main street and a park alongside the Connecticut River
Located two miles from Wesleyan University, and halfway between Boston and NYC: about 100 miles from both
Key Equipment Includes:
Vandercooks (219; Uni-I electric; No. 2 proof press), Potter pedestal press
25 cabinets of metal type, Hammond saw
Etching press, polymer platemaker
Jacques board shear, guillotine cutter, bookbinding & dry mount presses
There are incredible resources on hand to nourish established and growing artists. I would love to contribute towards future generations of creatives, and fostering community access. The goal is to co-create a financially sustainable model that supports the long-term future of the studio, developing it in new directions. I am open to various ways in which that may work out.
Ideal collaborators have:
Several years of experience in book arts, printmaking, or similar design training
Competence and experience in at least one of the following:
Bookbinding (with varied structures/materials)
Printing with Vandercook cylinder presses (with a variety of matrices, papers, and other substrates)
Printmaking with etching press
Commitment to approaching art-making with compassion, inclusiveness, and social justice in mind
Interest in developing a community-access studio
Bonus skills (appreciated, not required):
Studio management
Writing, editing, admin support
Social media & outreach
Community engagement / teaching experience
Experience working/operating small business; business savvy
What’s Possible
This is an open, evolving concept. We might explore, among other opportunities:
Short-term trial experience
Development of classes / workshops
Project-based arrangements, with percentage-of-sales agreements, or . . .
Development of publishing series that includes collaboration on artists’ books, zines, prints or broadsides, some of which reach out to specific marginalized communities.
Selective commission work
Plans for a non-profit book arts center
Creative partnership models not yet envisioned/mentioned above
I’m eager to share, mentor (if desired), collaborate, and provide access for team members to pursue individual projects and collaborate. This is a place for mutual inspiration and invention. We emphasize maintaining the studio as a safe, sanctuary-type space.
Contact
robinpricepublisher@mac.com | 860-759-2658 | https://www.robinpricepublisher.com/
*Rent total $1200/mo; utilities average $160/mo.
** for example, trading social media expertise in exchange for studio time.