The Pull Room: CAL’s community printmaking studio

Phayvanh Luekhamhan stands behind the Whelan Xpress Pro Printer with her right hand on the wheel. The walls are cream with red bulletin boards and blue cupboards. Photo is by Phillip Robertson.
Phayvanh Luekhamhan, CAL’s ED, stands behind our newest acquisition, a Whelan Xpress Pro etching press. The classroom is located in the school wing, home of the former River Rock School. Photo by Phillip Robertson.

Hooray!

The Center for Arts and Learning is pleased to be opening a community printmaking studio in our building at 46 Barre Street. Located in a classroom of the school wing recently vacated by the City of Montpelier, and formerly where River Rock School was housed, this room will be open to any interested member of the community ages 16 and up.

We are currently making finishing touches to the space and finalizing our schedule. We aim to provide 24 hour access to this room starting in late May. But you can sign up right now by using this form (also embedded at the bottom). We will get you started one everything is ready to go. But wait, what are you signing up for?

Membership Details

For $50 per month (or $600/yr), you will be trained on the use and care of each of the three printing presses in the Pull Room, including the Whelan XPro in the photo above.

You’ll also have access to a Richeson Baby Press and a mobile table top press. You’ll be able to reserve use of the presses in 1 hour blocks. You’ll get a cubby to store your personal materials. You’ll be expected to clean up after yourself and be respectful of everyone’s time. Member expectations are here. That’s it!

Members will also receive 10% off registration fees for any classes you’d like to take. Bring your own materials or pick some up at The Drawing Board in downtown Montpelier.

Of course, we also expect everyone to abide by our code of conduct.

Volunteer Opportunities

A limited number of volunteer opportunities are available to offset membership fees. We are seeking reliable folks to help maintain the space and manage membership questions. Please reach out to Kate Ruddle, the Pull Room staff coordinator at: programs@cal-vt.org if you’re interested in these spots.

I can’t afford a membership…

We do understand this is not in everyone’s budget. CAL will offer a few open house and community events. We can also offer limited scholarship on a case by case basis, thanks to a donation from our friends at the Alchemist Foundation. Come by during the June 2nd Art Walk and we can show you around and chat. Or contact Phayvanh any time: director@cal-vt.org

Note: Artists currently with a studio at CAL qualify for a discounted membership. Please reach out to Phayvanh if you’re interested.

I’d prefer a class first

We got you! Phillip Robertson will be leading two Monotype Basics classes in July. Monotype is so fun and easy. And Phillip is a great teacher. We’ll be adding more classes as we get them confirmed. Please follow us on Eventbrite to get notifications.

Can I teach a class?

Sure! Fill out this form and let us know what you’re interested in offering and when and what your teaching experience is. We are looking for any type of printmaking that can be worked with our etching presses. Gelli printing, cyanotype and other non-press methods are also welcome. We pay a flat rate for each class. Class size is 4-8 participants. Kate will follow up with your proposal.

The Pull Room Membership Application is below. Join us today!

Join CAL’s Community of Artists: Memberships are now available

We’ve received many requests for a membership program here at CAL, and have thought through all the benefits we can provide for our artistic community. Our focus will be to develop and maintain a self-organized cohort for artists of all disciplines. Please read on for more details of our program and how to apply. If you don’t consider yourself an artist but want to support CAL’s mission, we welcome donations in any amount.

Jess shows a visitor around CAL’s Holiday Market. CAL members qualify to be in a market at a higher commission rate than non-members. Photo by Emma Norman.

Click here to apply for CAL membership

About Artist Memberships

The CAL artist community consists of all active CAL tenants, active members of the Arts Resource Association, and creative artists (students and professionals) in the community who are current on their annual dues.

Membership Benefits include opportunities to: 

  • Exhibit (and sell) work located in the first floor Members Gallery*
  • Sell work at pop-up Buyer’s Square marketplace during Artwalk*
  • Design and teach classes and workshops (about art, PR, grants, taxes, business)*
  • Participate in classes and workshops at discounted rates **
  • Facilitate and/or participate in art/community meet-ups
  • Facilitate and/or participate in critique/feedback sessions
  • Volunteer to support CAL and earn better commission rates and discounts
  • Make suggestions (and help develop) new programs, outreach, etc. 
  • Explore grant opportunities under CAL’s umbrella for fiscal sponsorship

* Members commission rate (for sales, and teaching) is 65% (35% to CAL). 

Working members (volunteer 3-5 hours a quarter) commission rate is 70% (30% to CAL)

**Class fee discounts for members and working members.

Membership dues 

$36/year as of date of payment.  Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

An arts patron views an exhibit during a reception. CAL members qualify to show their work in the first floor Members Gallery. They may also participate in the Curation Committee. Photo by Carty.

Membership Eligibility

CAL welcomes creators of any artistic discipline (students, hobbyists and professionals) to apply for membership. Current studio tenants of CAL and current members of ARA are automatically qualified for CAL membership.

At minimum, you must:

  • Be a currently practicing artist (hobbyist, amateur or professional) in one or more disciplines, including fine arts, graphics, crafts, maker-arts, language and performing arts, etc. 
  • Be 16 years old or older
  • Reside in Vermont
  • Support CAL’s Mission
  • Agree to CAL’s Code of Conduct

What is a “Working Member”?

Active members that contribute time towards supporting the membership program, or support CAL through specific projects, will be considered a “working member,” if they contribute 3-5 hours per quarter (every three months). 

While CAL welcomes higher levels of volunteer participation, any hours contributed over 5 per quarter will be considered uncompensated volunteer time and will not accrue into the future. 

Working Member Duties 

To fulfill the required “working member” hours, contribute what you can, when you can! Below are links to some of the current volunteer opportunities at CAL. Please sign up if something here interests you. Please be in touch if you don’t see something listed that you would like to help with. 

A very happy group of painters with their leader Katie O’Rourke. CAL members may offer classes and programs to the membership or the general public under our umbrella. Photo by Phayvanh Luekhamhan.

About The Center for Arts and Learning

The Center for Arts and Learning (CAL) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Montpelier, dedicated to fostering an arts community for everyone. We do this by offering private studios, gallery exhibits, fiscal sponsorship and arts programming. We are located at 46 Barre Street in Montpelier, which serves as the permanent home of CAL’s founding partners, the Monteverdi Music School and the T.W. Wood Gallery and Arts Center. 

CAL Membership Contact

Preya Holland, CAL Membership Coordinator: preya@cal-vt.org

Phayvanh Luekhamhan, CAL Executive Director: director@cal-vt.org 

Apply here

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