The California Society of Printmakers (CSP) is a non-profit 501(c) arts organization which promotes the practice and appreciation of fine art contemporary printmaking. Our mission is to support both the integrity of traditional printmaking and provide a home for artists exploring new directions in contemporary print methods. Currently, CSP has a membership of nearly 300 artists, and welcomes new members each summer and winter.
Please note, should your application for any CSP activity be accepted, materials and images submitted may be used in social media, online, digital and/or printed publicity.
Entry fees collected for CSP activities are considered charitable donations and may be fully tax deductible, depending on the tax laws of your homeland.
Membership in the CSP is open to artists from anywhere in the world who create hand-pulled prints. This includes artists who use traditional printmaking techniques, such as etching, lithography, relief printing, and silk screen. It also includes artists who make hybrid prints, monoprints, and artist books, so long as some hand printmaking is involved. Artists who use solely photographic or digital methods are not eligible for artist membership. Artist Members are juried into the organization by a review committee of current and past members of the CSP Board. An application for artist membership requires the following.
- 10 images of recent work (ideally within the last 3 years)
- Artist Bio (500 word count maximum)
- Artist Statement (500 word count maximum)
- Image list
- Optional Technical Note (500 word count maximum)
- $35 application fee (non-refundable)
Portfolio Requirements: Please submit a cohesive body of similar work that demonstrates your personal vision, rather than a sampling of unrelated works. Images must be clear and of quality and demonstrate professional presentation. Submitted works must be current (within the last three years). Book artists should submit three books produced in the past three years. It is recommended that each Book project has a minimum of 3 images submitted for review. Books must include at least one original print that meets the criteria above. Review Criteria: In reviewing your work, we will look at the following factors:
- Whether work demonstrates a professional level of quality and a master proficiency in the medium submitted
- Whether work as a whole shows a consistent, well developed artistic vision.
- Images must be clear and of quality and demonstrate professional presentation.
Applicants will be notified within 30 days of the portfolio review deadline (June 1st and December 1st.) The $35 application fee is non-refundable. There is no limit on the number of times an artist may apply for membership.
California Society of Printmakers (CSP), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is the oldest printmaking organization in the nation. Originally founded in 1912 as the California Society of Etchers, it reflected a surge of printmaking activity in both the West and nationally during the early part of the century. From its inception, membership has been open to printmakers around the world. In 1968 the California Society of Etchers merged with the Bay Area Printmakers to form the present California Society of Printmakers.
Student members (enrolled in college or university full time) will be juried into the organization by current and past members of the CSP Board. Digital portfolio reviews for membership, via Submittable, are held twice a year in the summer and winter. Membership is open to artists from anywhere in the world who create hand-pulled prints, including etching, lithography, relief printing, and screen printing. It also includes hybrid prints, monoprints, and artist books so long as some hand printmaking is involved. Artists who use solely photographic or digital methods are not eligible for artist membership. Student members are entitled to full membership benefits but pay a significantly reduced membership fee. With membership, students will be eligible for the following benefits:
Annual Members Exhibition. CSP presents an annual non-juried exhibition for its Artist Members. This exhibition is usually held in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Juried Exhibitions. CSP also sponsors juried exhibitions for its Artist Members in a variety of venues. Although many are held in the Bay Area, others have been held throughout the country and internationally.
Artist-In-Residence. CSP sponsors a season of short residencies for two or three selected CSP members. Selections are made by the Master Printmakers from around the Bay Area. Each Master Printer receives a stipend to support the work of the CSP member working in the area of specialty of the Master Printmaker.
CSP Members Email. CSP group email provides members with information on CSP events and exhibitions, artist opportunities, and other information of interest to the membership. Members are encouraged to post information about their own exhibitions and other items of professional interest.
CSP Publications. Members receive The California Printmaker: The Journal of the California Society of Printmakers once a year.
Member Events. The CSP presents informational panels, talks, and workshops several times a year, where members can learn about issues in printmaking and about specific printmaking techniques. These events give members an opportunity to network and exchange professional expertise.
Annual Meeting. At the CSP Annual meeting, an invited speaker or artist panel discusses topics of interest to printmakers. The annual meeting also provides an opportunity for members to meet other print artists and supporters of the print arts, learn of upcoming CSP opportunities and programs, and share food and beverages in a lively, informal setting.
Kala Art Institute Discount. Take 10% off all classes and workshops. All CSP members are entitled to a special ongoing offer from KALA ART INSTITUTE. Located in West Berkeley, Kala offers some of the best printmaking and digital media classes in the Bay Area. Browse classes online at www.Kala.org. Then call Kala at 510-549-2977 to register and take advantage of the discount.
An application for student membership requires the following.
- 5 images of recent work
- Artist Statement (We want to learn more about your work. 500-word count maximum)
- Image list
- Optional Technical Note (500-word count maximum)
- $20 application fee (non-refundable)
Portfolio Requirements: We recommend that you submit a cohesive body of similar work that demonstrates your personal vision, rather than a sampling of unrelated works. Book artists should submit three books produced in the past three years. It is recommended that each Book project has a minimum of 3 images submitted for review. Books must include at least one original print that meets the criteria above. Review Criteria: In reviewing your work, we will look at the following factors:
- Whether work demonstrates a level of proficiency in the medium submitted
- Whether work as a whole shows a consistent artistic vision.
Applicants will be notified within 30 days of the portfolio review deadline (June 1st and December 1st.) The $20 application fee is non-refundable. There is no limit on the number of times an artist may apply for membership
THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR CSP ARTIST, STUDENT, LIFETIME MEMBERS ONLY.
For the 2024 CSP Residency season, we will be doing individual applications and announcing host sites and projects individually. If you have previously received a residency, please wait three years before applying again.
2024 California Society of Printmakers Artist in Residence
Juried by host:
Graphic Arts Workshop, San Francisco, CA
CALENDAR:
Project submissions due 6/14/2024.
Selected artist will be notified by 6/28/2024.
The residency at Graphic Arts Workshop will begin 9/14/2024.
What is the CSP Artist in Residence?:
The California Society of Printmakers presents a variety of short residency opportunities for current CSP members. Selections will be made by host Printmakers.
The Graphic Arts Workshop, or GAW, was founded by faculty from the California Labor College in 1952. Over the years, the GAW membership has included many distinguished artists, undertaken national and international art exchanges, and hosted traveling exhibits. Today, the cooperative has approximately 23 members working in traditional fine art printmaking techniques.
What areas of Printmaking can I apply to pursue?:
Equipment includes Sturges etching press and American French etching press, Griffin litho press (large and small), litho stones, rollers, Vandercook letterpress, aquatint boxes, heating plates, acid room, and some equipment for silk screen. Residents must complete 15 hours of supervision before they can use equipment on their own. Once the 15 hours are completed, the resident will have 24/7 access to GAW.
ELIGIBILITY:
CSP Artist membership must be current.
ENTRIES:
There is a $25 submission fee to submit proposals with up to 10 images. All images must be of work completed within the last 3 years.
Artist application deadline: 6/14/2024.
All submissions must be submitted through SUBMITTABLE.
Hardcopy and email submissions are no longer accepted.
More on the Jurors:
Mark Brodie: Photography had been my primary artistic outlet for the last 30 years but I’ve always had an appreciation for works on paper, so I was not surprised to find myself combining the two processes using photography with photopolymer plates, also referred to as solarplates.
Clare Metague: After graduating from CCA in Oakland, Clare enjoyed many years working as a graphic artist before turning her attention to the fine arts — initially to figure drawing and painting — later in-depth exploration in the fine art of printmaking. Clare has a studio at the Hunter's Point Shipyards and is a member of City Arts Gallery in San Francisco where she often exhibits her monoprints and paintings.
Eddie Lee: I have been exploring different types of printing techniques: letterpress, monotype, dry points, linoleum cuts, wood cut and other unconventional techniques.
Leslie Lowinger: Leslie Lowinger was born in New Orleans grew up in Detroit. She lived in New York for 15 years and San Francisco for the last twelve. Her work has been shown various places including: Dolby Chadwick Gallery in San Francisco, Foundation 3.14 in Norway and Fashion Moda, New York. She has received a N Y S C A Independent Artist’s Grant and is the collection of the DIA Foundation.
Toru Sugita: Sugita is an artist who recently moved back to the Bay Area from Grand Junction, Colorado. Originally from a small town in Japan, he has traveled around the world. Toru is active in the visual arts, especially printmaking and painting.