Monday, April 21, 2014

Local Loyalty - Black-Eyed Press

Welcome back!
This week brings us to a very unique
and awesome place - 
This one is going to be hard to put in to words,
all that Black-Eyed Press is all about. 
Located at
1515 16th Street
is an amazing, complex, intriguing, 
artistic, incredible, expansive place. 
When I asked Samira what her place was all about, 
she said it was a community print making studio. 
After visiting, it is that, but so much more.  
At it's core, it's a print and book making studio. 
Besides doing that,  Samira is also very talented in various types of art, and origami, to name only a few. Her talents seem endless.
Once a month, usually the 1st Saturday of the month, she hosts a 
Book Arts Guild from 10-2. You learn how to make a new, hand bound book, marble paper, how to print, do collages, and more. 
Local artists can also rent space, and use equipment they otherwise wouldn't have access to. 
There is also a program for teens, 14-19, that works on writing and printing their work, both in word and in art.
Open studio nights will begin this summer.
Her goal is to build a community, providing resources and space. 
Within the building she is in, are over 30 other artists and studios. 
I know my words can't do this place justice, it's awe inspiring. 
To for more information contact Samira, 
Phone: 262.994.8780
Email: sam@blackeyedpress.com

She was an amazing host, sharing her passion with me of what she is doing. I thought we'd connect for maybe 20 minutes, and ended up visiting for 2 hours! 
Please check it out, 
I think you too, will be amazed. 

Of course, I can't conclude the feature without those 3 chosen words :)
1. Encouraging
2. Engaging
3. Creative. 
Yes, yes and yes! 
Let your creative side come out, whether in writing, drawing, painting, book making, paper creations, she's here to help!
Don't forget to let her know you saw it here!
Thank for reading!

 

9 comments:

legal stranger said...

Timing is everything, Orbs had a great old printing press that could have been used there........
Nice to know some of her talents still exist in Racine for others to learn from.
Thanks for the weekly feature LM.

jed said...

Wow LM...you are getting very good and creative at this...I think you've found your little niche.

Keep up the great,informative work...I think you need to be rewarded for all of this. Maybe KK has a little something in that prize thingie of hers.

Thanks LM

kkdither said...

Very interesting. It is really sad that so many positive businesses exist and are never mentioned in the mainstream media for Racine citizens to know about and to patronize.

I guess EVERYONE needs to get "in the know" and read, join, or like√ JTIrregulars! Remember friends, we are on Facebook, too!

Great job, Liz! Your columns, business choices and writing skills continue to improve every week!

Jed... you silly guy, those valuable prizes are only for Bedtime Game winners. ;>

jed said...

KK... I wouldn't know, never have won the cherished bedroom folies game.

I just feel that LM is getting too good at her craft here, she may bolt for greener pastures and wealth.

Just a thought.

Tender Heart Bear said...

LM- Great post I am really enjoy finding out about all these different little shops. I am thankful you are out there checking them out for us.

lizardmom said...

Jed, no worries, not confident one little bit. I get quite a hit of anxiety going in to meet people. Just try to figure out how to introduce yourself and what you're doing (what our little blogging family is all about) in 20 seconds or less. I feel like Porky Pig stuttering trying to put it into words!

lizardmom said...

and you should see my 'hit list' of possibles to contact, again, the shy bug holds me back, but I gotta keep going. I can only hope to make a difference.
Thanks for the encouragement, gang!!

OKIE said...

LM - You go girl! You are doing a fine job.

OrbsCorbs said...

I worked in the Industrial Plant when I was in high school. (That's what it was called back then.) It's a huge building. I knew there were artists studios in there now, but I've never visited. Like legal said, maybe I should have before I sold the press and FedEx destroyed it.

Sounds like a great place. Thank you, lizardmom.