The Common Press is the letterpress printing studio at the University of Pennsylvania. It is supported by a collaboration of interests at Penn, including writing (15th Room Press, Kelly Writers House), print culture (the Rare Book & Manuscript Library), and visual arts and design (the School of Design). The Common Press was founded on January 17, 2006, the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth. The Common Press provides a mixed media environment to support the teaching of design and fine arts to students, to encourage collaboration on projects across the university, and to expose students to contemporary print culture
Back in the day, 1734,Mr. Al-Shamas Abdullah Zakher founded the first Arabic printing press. Located in Lebanon this little press ran happily until 1899. It was the fist Arabic script printing press in Lebanon. To learn more about this little guy and see some awesome pictures click here.
In that limbo between finals and the end of classes, impulsive acts of exploration, due to the lack of scheduling, and kittens become common. It's not like we are on vacation, there is still a lot of work to do, but summer is setting in, and those who ventured down to the basement of morgan yesterday found themselves witness to the unveiling of truth and machinery, the railroads didn't build themselves you know?
So we tried it out, our newest family member: the offset baby, a multilith 1250. Like heros and vultures, the machine was set into motion. oh how monumental? how magnificent? paper trays and paper trails! 11 rollers parched for life, given breath! Macedonian fervor and daily sweater vests! This is Common Press. Now truth be told, though we are incredibly grateful to southern men named Bud, and we couldn't have been any wiser, we didn't get quite get anything printed BUT THIS IS HOW IT WILL RUN:
Please join us on Sunday!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Hey guys,
Sorry it's been long. Just wanted to let you know that the Screenprinting and Relief Class are having a show this coming Sunday, May 3rd @4 pm. Please come! Schmooze a little!
Once again the ICA has kindly invited the Common Press to help host the ICA PENN First Wednesday March 4th, 2009 (TODAY)!
7:30pm / Meet the artist: Joshua Mosley 8:30pm / Customize your very own RADical art totes with 4 unique silkscreen designs by local artists (and even a design by Common Press members Sofie and Manya).
As always, free coffee and dessert plus enter a raffle to win a free iPod.
