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Chicago Printers Guild Records

 Collection
Identifier: spe-c00087

Scope and Contents

Established in 2009, the Chicago Printers Guild Records document the interactions, events and artwork of a non-profit collection of Chicago-area printmakers. The collection contains board minutes, listserv correspondence, event materials, social media posts, photographs and artwork.

Dates

  • 2009 - 2022

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are primarily in English, with a few items in Spanish.

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.

Biographical / Historical

The Chicago Printers Guild (CPG) was established in the spring of 2009. A preliminary and informal meeting to discuss the intent and benefits of such an organization was held in April at The Hungry Brain bar. “It was just a bunch of inky printers sitting around discussing how we might go about seeing more of each other and elevating our art form,” as Dan MacAdam of Crosshair put it. A follow-up meeting was held at Sonnenzimmer in May where the Guild’s logo was voted on; several print artists submitted designs including Baker Prints, Sonnenzimmer, and Letterform. The winning logo in use today was designed by Alex Fuller. $25 was then collected, not as a membership, but simply so an enamel pin could be produced. In July 2009, Dan MacAdam hosted the CPG meeting on the rooftop where the first official board for the Guild was elected.

As a nonprofit trade organization, CPG supports and fosters the work of printers and seeks to bridge the gap between commercial printing and fine art printmaking. Each month, the group holds meetings at members’ shops and studios to foster the promotion of print culture through open sharing among Chicago-area printmakers. Its members’ network functions to allow fellow printmakers to ask questions, communicate methods, announce events or share opportunities. Of historical interest is the collective creation of a printers’ family tree that tracks local printmakers and the studios they have worked under or established. In 2010, a print archive of member artworks was initiated through voluntary annual submissions and serves to document the variety print work being actively created across the Chicago area, both commissioned and self-initiated. CPG also sponsors other activities such as lectures, workshops, field trips, and art exhibits to bring awareness of print culture to the Chicago area. In 2016, CPG held its first Publishers’ Fair at Elastic Arts at 3429 W. Diversey Avenue.

Extent

9 Linear Feet (in 6 boxes and 3 oversize folders and 1 oversize roll, includes 390 photographs, 158 prints, 10 artifacts, and 2.32 GB electronic files)

Abstract

Chicago Printers Guild Records document the interactions, events and artwork of a non-profit collection of Chicago-area printmakers. The collection contains board minutes, listserv correspondence, event materials, social media posts, photographs and artwork.

Arrangement

The materials are divided into 3 Series:

Series 1: Administration, 2012-2022

Series 2: Photographs, 2011-2020

Series 3: Prints, 2009-2021

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated to the Chicago Public Library by Chicago Printers Guild, 2018. Accruals numbers: 20190530, 20200721, 20200917, 20201215, 20210302.

Related Materials

Chicago Printmakers Collaborative: Resistance Materials

Drawing and Print Collection

Title
Guide to the Chicago Printers Guild Records
Status
Completed
Author
Michelle McCoy, May 2018, November 2019, July 2020, July 2021. Updated and reformatted for ArchivesSpace by Michelle McCoy, 2022.
Date
2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Unit at Harold Washington Library Center Repository

Contact:
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875