We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge their living connection to Country, relationship with the land and all living things extending back tens of thousands of years.
Please Note Firestation Print Studio will be taking a break at the end of the year. The Office and Gallery
will be closed on the 21st of December and Reopen on the 15th of January
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CALL OUT FOR ENTRIES
Entries Open: 20th September 2024 Entries Close: 4th February 2025 We are excited to announce dates and judges for our 2025 Monoprint Prize. More information can be found HERE Also a big thank you Melbourne Etching Supplies who are on board again as our Major Sponsor. 
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ABOUT
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The Firestation Print Studio is a dynamic hub of arts activity, with printmaking at its core, yet open to a wide range of projects and practices. As a community based organisation, the curatorial strategy supports artists with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds at various stages of their career, by providing a supportive environment in which to create and exhibit their artwork. This is a unique element of the Firestation, as we provide facilities for all stages of artistic development in printmaking, from the inception and execution of artwork in the print workshop, to its presentation and display to the public in the gallery. |
WORKSHOPS |
View all printmaking workshops HERE
May 17&18 Kate Gorringe-Smith Eco Prints & Monoprints
Collaborating with Nature
Kate Gorringe-Smith
eco prints & monoprint workshop
TWO DAY WORKSHOP
May 17th & 18th. 10am-4pm with 1hr for lunch.
$390 / $350 members.
Materials provided
Eco-printing on paper PLUS monoprinting with natural objects
In this two-day workshop Kate will teach participants techniques to eco-print on
paper and fabric. She will also teach a simple monoprinting technique to incorporate
the use of natural materials or other textured itemas into your prints.
While working as a scientific editor for BirdLife Australia in the 1990s, Kate studied printmaking at RMIT. Kate has taken part in eight solo and numerous group exhibitions in Australia and overseas. Her work is held in national collections, and has featured in awards such as the 2015 Silk Cut Award for Linocut, the 2017 Manly Artists' Book Prize, the 2021 Burnie and Geelong Print Prizes and the Castlemaine Experimental Print Prize and the 2022 National Works on Paper Prize.
LEARN MORE about Kate and her projects HERE
Feb 8th & 9th Bronwyn Rees "Summer Scratches"
TWO DAY WORKSHOP
Bronwyn Rees
Summer Scratches (drypoint and carborundum on plastic plate)
Sat and Sun, 8th and 9th, 10am-4pm
10am - 4pm
$390 / $350 members
Max 9 participants
Download full class description here
materials provided
May 24th, DEBRA WINN Dark Field Monotype Printmaking
DEBRA WINN
Dark Field Monotype Printmaking:
The Art of Subtraction
One day workshop May 24th,
10am-4pm
Materials provided
Workshop Overview
Discover the depth and nuance of dark field monotype in this hands-on workshop. This printmaking method allows you to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind prints with striking contrasts and delicate subtleties in black and white. Perfect for exploring any subject matter—from portraits to landscapes to abstract forms—this workshop emphasizes experimentation within a supportive and creative environment.
The session includes a demonstration and examples of work. Bring your own reference images, objects, or any items that inspire your creativity. Or explore the references provided. Suitable for all experience levels, from beginners and seasoned artists.
What You’ll Learn
- Techniques for creating both bold contrast and soft subtleties in black and white prints
- Approaches to building depth, texture and movement using dark field monotype methods
- Ways to explore and work with various subjects, whether realistic, figurative, abstract, or landscape-based
Debra Winn is an award-winning artist whose work is represented in national and international collections, such as the New York Public Library and the State Library of Victoria. Awarded the 2023 Firestation Print Workshop’s Biennial Australian Monoprint Prize and shortlisted for the prestigious Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2022, Debra has won accolades and been shortlisted for many awards.
March 29th, Amy Grover 'Colour, Texture & Tone for Intaglio'
Amy Grover
Colour, Texture & Tone for Intaglio
One Day Workshop
March 29th, 11am - 4pm
$125 / $85 members
materials provided
(this is an intermediate workshop)
One Day Workshop
- Chine Collé
- Roll up colour
- Oil paint print
Using intaglio, drypoint plates
Amy Grover teaches print processes that
achieve precision for Chine Collé,
expressive mark making with oil colour
and texture with colour roll-up
Amy Grove was the recipient of our
Inaugural ADFAS (Arts National, Melbourne) Printmakers Residency Award and has taken up our back studio.
Amy graduated from RMIT in 2023, and has since participated in group shows across Melbourne and was selected to exhibit at the Print Council of Australia Gallery in 2025.
Weekend Feb 15th & 16th, Introductory Etching Workshop with Margaret Manchee
Introduction to Etching
MARGARET MANCHEE
Weekend workshop - 2 half days
Feb 15th & 16th, 2025
10am to 1.30pm
$280 / $240 members
With Margaret Manchee you will be engaged in learning the centuries old technique of etching copper with Ferric Chloride acid to produce a print. You will learn the basics that will keep you entranced with the process for years to come!
Margaret Manchee has been a practising artist for more than 10 years, specializing in copper–plate etching and printmaking whilst also maintaining a profession as a qualified Chartered Accountant. Margaret balances the left brain numbers with the right brain art – her own path to wellness. Since her graduation from the University of Melbourne – Victorian College of the Arts, she has been an artist in residence and art teacher at Firestation Print Studio.
Manchee has exhibited extensively in Melbourne, recently these include two solo shows at the Sofitel Hotel, a current group show at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery Melbourne, and an upcoming solo exhibition, "Iteration" at Forty Five Downstairs, Melbourne opening in June.
March 22nd & 23rd LETTERPRESS POSTCARD WORKSHOP - INTRODUCTORY
ABBI GILBERT & SALLY NANSEN
LETTERPRESS POSTCARD WORKSHOP - INTRODUCTORY
WEEKEND WORKSHOP
March 22nd & 23rd, 10am - 4pm
$350 / $310
materials provided
No prior experience necessary
Introduction to Letterpress - Add Letterpress to your own artists prints / works on paper. Learn this technique while adding an impressive new element to your postcard sized prints.
Each year there are a plethora of Postcard Print opportunities, including our own postcard exchange with Press North, the annual Linden Postcard Show and many more! With this workshop you can take your artists postcard prints to the next level by incorporating this age old technique and add gorgeous text / letterpress icons / borders / motifs and more.
You will leave this workshop with Letterpress printed postcards, and a general understanding of the process of setting type and printing Letterpress.
Letterpress Postcards
Workshop Description
Thank you all so much for your interest and enthusiasm for letterpress. We are so excited that you have signed up for this workshop and are looking forward to exploring this wonderful medium with you!
This workshop will include:
- a brief history of letterpress and why we love it so much
- introduction to key terms and equipment
- examples of letterpress and how it can be combined with other printmaking techniques
- demonstration of setting type, locking up and printing
- opportunity for you to set and print your own postcards
- Paper, ink and letterpress equipment – we will have a selection of fonts for you to choose from
In order to for you to get the most out of this workshop, please come prepared! Here are some things you need to know:
- Come prepared with a line or two of words that you would like to set. We’re working small, so there’s not much room!
- We will be setting type to fit within the standard size of 10cm x 15cm (landscape or portrait)
- You may want to print your type on top of an existing print, or print the type first and add an image to it later in our own time. Either way, come with a plan and plenty of prints or paper to work with.
- If you need an edition of prints for a particular project, please bring plenty of spare paper or prints to ensure that you get the number that you need. Please feel free to get in touch with us beforehand so that we can do our best to make sure you go home with an edition that suits your needs.
- If you’re just wanting to set some type and have a go and are feeling a bit willy nilly, check your drawers for old prints, paintings or drawings that can be cut down to size and printed with type. Go for it! Please note that letterpress prints best on smooth paper
- We will be printing type with black ink only.
Other things to remember:
- Apron
- Closed toed shoes
- Lunch (BYO or enjoy something purchased from the shops nearby)
We are looking forward to seeing you then,
Abbi and Sally
GALLERY
LIFE DRAWING |
PRINT CLUBS |
Every Tuesday evening 7-9pm drop in!
EXCLUDES SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Bring paper & drawing materials. Easels provided. Members $23 Non members $25 Concession* $23 *Concession price is available for Pension or Student card holders More info here |
PRINT CLUBS are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
5 sessions per month, $10 - $25 per session 3 hour sessions with ink provided and supervisors on hand Proudly supported by the City of Stonnington Dates and more here BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL |
WORKSHOPS, SUPERVISED ACCESS OR PRINT CLUBS
YOU MUST BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING
Our qualified printmakers:
FPS members who have completed their induction, and pay access fees, are able to make bookings, and come in to use our presses and the backroom, before you do so, please read our FPS Covid Safe Plan HERE
