The Workshop
Tamarind Institute continues its program to advance the art of lithography through intensive printer training, research, and creative projects with visiting artists. The workshop is designed to accommodate two parallel programs: printer training and collaborations with visiting artists. These programs are run by the Education Director and the Workshop Manager.
Valpuri Remling, Tamarind Master Printer
Workshop Manager
Valpuri Remling hails from Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. After receiving her MFA in printmaking from the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Valpuri studied at Tamarind Institute and received her Tamarind Master Printer certificate in 2009. She then returned to Helsinki and Helsinki Litho, becoming co-owner of the workshop, while also teaching lithography at the University of the Arts, Helsinki, in the Academy of Fine Arts printmaking program. After an extensive international search, Valpuri was appointed the Master Printer and Workshop Manager of Tamarind Institute in 2015. Her role includes collaborations with visiting artists, managing multiple publishing projects, advising other workshops and manufacturing entities on best practices in lithography, and leading research in advances in lithographic techniques. Every year she directs the research of Tamarind apprentice printers and mentors the next generation of master printers.
Brandon Gunn, Tamarind Master Printer
Professor of Practice/Education Director
Brandon J. Gunn joined the Tamarind staff in January 2016 as Director of Education. Gunn is originally from Orem, Utah. After receiving a Masters degree in Printmaking at Illinois State University in 2006, and the Tamarind Master Printer Certificate in 2008, he began teaching full time, in addition to producing his own artwork, printing collaboratively, and constructing leather rollers. Gunn has considerable experience as a collaborative printer and educator, and is extremely knowledgeable in traditional and modern lithography, intaglio, woodcut, and digital printing techniques. He has taught undergraduate and graduate level courses at Santa Fe Community College, Concordia University in Montreal, Brigham Young University Idaho, and Indiana University in Bloomington. He has also printed at Normal Editions Workshop, Stinger Editions, and for Indiana University’s visiting artist program. Gunn is responsible for the internationally recognized Professional Printer Training Program and the intensive Summer Workshop. He also regularly conducts external workshops and presentations, researches new materials and techniques, and consults with educational institutions, workshops and suppliers in the field.
Opportunities for Artists
As part of Tamarind’s educational mission to preserve and advance the art of lithography, our program strives to include a diversity of artists, technical challenges, and aesthetic ideas. There are three primary opportunities to collaborate in the workshop:
Tamarind publishing
Contract printing and monotyping
Tamarind welcomes proposals for contract printing, in which the artist assumes all printing costs. Many artists are able to obtain support for printing fees through research grants, community foundations, or through the galleries that represent them. Costs are determined by the number of colors, paper size, and the number of impressions. Estimates can be prepared in advance. For example, the cost to produce an edition of 20, four-color lithographs, measuring 22 x 30 inches, would be approximately $6400 or $320 per impression.
Tamarind also offers monotype printing on our offset proof press. The printing fee is $450 day, which includes the services of a printer for seven hours and all materials except paper (which we make available to artists at our cost). Two artists may share the services of a printer for a full day of monotyping for a printing fee of $300 each.
A fully equipped studio apartment, located on the upper floor of the Tamarind building, may be available to artists while they are working at Tamarind for a charge of $75 per night.
Start the conversation right away if you are interested in contract printing
Collaborations with student printers
Tamarind invites applications for artist collaborations with student printers. During the spring semester, selected artists participate in a two-week residency in the workshop. No prior experience in lithography is necessary. The selected artists explore lithography and collaborative printmaking, with daily proofing and consultation with a team of printers. Artists will complete two editions (10-15 impressions) using standard lithographic drawing materials and processes.
At the completion of the two-week residency the artist signs off on a trial proof, and the edition is printed after the artist leaves. The editions will be completed by the end of May, at which time the prints and proofs are shipped to the artist for signing. With the exception of one record impression for the Tamarind archive and one printer’s proof retained by the printer, all prints are the property of the artist.
The workshop fee is a flat $1500. Shipping costs outside of New Mexico will be covered by the artist.
Applications are due October 1 for the spring program. Please follow us on social media and check back to the Tamarind website for more details.
Public Tours
First Friday Tours are a great way to see the workshop and learn more about Tamarind’s history. With the exception of holidays, Tamarind offers a 1 1/2 hour tour the first Friday of every month, at 1:30 pm. The tour includes information about current programs and the history of Tamarind, a video on the collaborative process, a printing demonstration, and a tour of our gallery and workshop.
Space is limited, so please make a reservation by calling (505) 277-3901, or sign up with the form on the right. There is no charge for the tour.
