Ensuring the Viability of Letterpress Printing in the 21st Century: A Case for an Artist Space in Eugene, Oregon

Abstract

While letterpress printing is undergoing a cultural and creative transformation, there is a significant absence of opportunities to learn, access, and practice letterpress printing in a community setting. This study explores the historical, systematic, and organizational issues that affect community access to contemporary letterpress printing. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis from three artist space case studies, this study 1) explores the significance of artist spaces on a macro level; 2) compares and contrasts business models for nonprofit, for-profit, and social enterprises; 3) analyzes three present-day artist spaces featuring letterpress printing; and 4) provides recommendations for a letterpress-focused artist space that would be appropriate in scale for Eugene, Oregon. As several Eugene/Springfield stakeholders have preliminarily identified a need for a community print shop in the local area, this research provides a helpful blueprint toward the development of such a space.