Test Print Tuesday is a 10-week event series that celebrates the power of print. Part skill share, part artist talk and all fun, each week will feature new artists and new printed content. The evening will kick off with an introduction to the screen printing process and a brief artist talk. Then, the printing will begin… Participants will be invited to come up to a press, pull a print and then print again (and again). As layers build up, magic happens!
This season will feature notable local artists and special themed nights focusing on Risograph, Wrapping Paper, Stickers, working with a Cricut, and even a collaboration with our favorite record stores, Vinyl Index.
This event series is organized by Jay LaCouture and Helen Popinchalk
Test Print Team
October 15
Fish McGill & Friends
October 22
Caitlin Duennebier
October 29
Union Press
November 5
Linocave
November 12
Cicely
Carew
November 19
To Be Announced
November 26
Ava
Pom
December 3
Vinyl Index Alredo
December 10
Best
Dressed
December 17
MEET YOUR ORGANIZERS
Since 2015, Jay has been developing the live screen printing experience in Boston, where he brings screen printing to different events throughout the city. This takes printmaking out of the studio and into spaces where people can interact with and sometimes create prints in their own environments.
As director of Simmons’ Trustman Art Gallery, she has curated, installed and hosted related programming for twenty plus exhibitions over the past six years. As curator of the Simmons University art collection, she has collaborated with students, faculty and artists on Collecting & Connecting, a program that provides professionalizing opportunities for students and diversifies the University’s art collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Test Print Tuesday?
A: Test Print Tuesday is a 10-week collaborative screen printing event series that takes place on Tuesday nights at 267 Western Ave with our friends at Zone 3. It’s a completely free, public event where attendees will print artwork from Boston area artists, designers, and printmakers.
Q: What are Test prints?
A: Test prints are used by printmakers to see how an image looks before committing to an edition. It’s a chance to check for pinholes and image integrity, to try out different colors, and new inks. Many printers keep a stack of these test sheets in their studio and, as random images build up, magic happens. Test Print Tuesday embraces the ethos of the test print and the happy accidents that are fundamental to the aesthetic.
Q: Do I have to know how to print?
A: Of course not! This event is for beginners and pros alike. Since screen printing typically happens in schools, studios, and shops, it’s not easy to get access to a space where you can learn to print. Our event series aims to bridge the gap and allow you to come try screen printing for yourself. We’ll give a brief overview of the process before we start each week, and you’ll get to go home with prints that you create from our guest artists!
Q: How can I get a ticket?
A: Tickets are available for the week you’d like to attend. You can RSVP on eventbrite. If your plans change and you can’t make it, release your ticket so someone can take your place.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Everything you will need to create your prints will be provided when you arrive. This is a hands-on event so if you are wearing something precious, please make sure to bring an apron to keep your clothes ink free. We will have a handful of aprons available on-site while they last, first come first serve.
Q: Is there parking?
A: On-site parking at Zone 3 is very limited and there is also limited street parking nearby. We ask folks to walk, bike, or take public transportation to join us at Zone 3.
Thank you to our program supporters:
2024 Grant Recipient
