Event Synopsis: BIG INK is pleased to partner with 3 Fish Studios for two one-day large woodcut printing sessions. We’ll be utilizing 3 Fish’s 48" x 72" etching press to pull prints. If accepted, artists will have two months prior to the event to carve their image into a piece of plywood. BIG INK remains in contact with each participant providing guidance and technical support when needed. Eric Rewitzer and Annie Galvin are printmakers and painters, husband and wife, and founders of 3 Fish Studios. The Outer Sunset hub is home to their workshop and studio, where art happens daily and visitors are always welcome; they love collaborating, making, and sharing creative projects with cool folks.

About BIG INK: Our mission is to inspire a greater appreciation for relief printmaking and extend its practice among contemporary artists. We invite artists, via a call-for-entry application process, to submit a proposal to create a woodcut, at least 24” x 36” in dimension, through bigink.org. Approximately sixteen proposals are accepted per event and those selected are given two months to carve an image. At the end of the two months, BIG INK meets with the artists at a predetermined space, such as an art center, festival, or community print shop, and helps them print his or her woodcut onto paper. These events culminate in exhibition opportunities and potential sales for the artists who participate. Since the BIG INK’s founding in 2012, BIG INK has assisted hundreds of artists in creating new relief works at venues across the United States.

Event Location: 3 Fish Studios, 4541 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Deadline for Consideration: Midnight, Feb 19th, 2018

Event Date(s): Apr 28th & 29th, 2018

Criteria: BIG INK considers proposals based on the following:

Size: Images must be at least 24” x 36” in dimension but not larger than 40” x 60” in dimension.

Material: Artists are responsible for securing their own ½” thick plywood, 1/2" MDF or 3/8" Shina for carving and their own carving tools. The plywood or MDF must be ½” thick, the Shina must be 3/8".

Originality: The uniqueness of the design will be a major consideration. A drawing, digital graphic, altered photography, collage, sketch, painting or print are acceptable examples to include with your proposal. Images must be solely created by the applicant.

Cohesiveness: The anticipated dimensions of your woodblock should match the format of the image you submit.

Fees: It is free to submit a proposal; accepted artists pay $295 dollars to participate. This covers all consumable materials for the event including: printing ink, paper, cleaning supplies, and equipment usage. All that is required of the artist is to bring a fully carved block.

Benefits: BIG INK events are best described as a concentrated burst of productive energy bringing together leading artists from throughout the region to network with each other and potential patrons. We provide the technical expertise and specialized equipment necessary to bring the artist’s studio directly to the public in an engaging way. In addition, selected participants also receive:

Professional Prints: BIG INK assists in the creation of three impressions from each participant’s carved block.

Video Tutorials: Never made a woodcut or woodblock print? No problem! We’ve created step-by-step video tutorials to walk you through the whole process. High-Res Photography: We provide a professionally photographed image of each participants work at no additional charge. Curated Exhibits: National and international art venues curate BIG INK exhibits from our growing portfolio. Your work could be featured next! Outreach: We create a page for each participant on our website. Our web and social outlets receive thousands of views each month and will put your work in front of a larger audience.