Printmaking by the People

What’s It All About?

What would the Declaration of Independence say if it could be written today?

What visions do Philadelphian’s have for the promise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?”

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. This city-wide project will feature discussions about essential aspects of freedom, the importance of printing in communicating and mobilizing during the Revolutionary era, and the urgency of poster-making as a means of advocating for change. Participants in dozens of workshops around the city will create their own posters to express their ideas about the rights that are essential for a just, inclusive and sustainable community. The work will inspire a signature mural and an exhibition at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

What’s New?

If you are an artist or printmaking organization interested in working on this project, please see “Current Opportunities” below. Please note that the deadline for artist applications is now May 1.

If you are interested in attending a free community workshop, please see “Upcoming Community Workshops” below to learn more and register. We are scheduling new workshops – free and open to the public – on an ongoing basis.

If you are an organization that would like to host an workshop in your community, please fill out this form.

Current Opportunities

DESIGN ARTIST

We are searching for an Artist to lead the mural design process. Depending on the artist’s availability, interest and skills, the artist can also be involved in the production / installation of the mural. The artist must have a strong connection to Philadelphia, and can work in any medium, including printmaking, graphic design and mural design. Teams are welcome to apply.

If you are interested in leading the mural design process, please review this background information and respond to this form.

Deadline: May 1

WORKSHOP LEADERS

We are searching for teams of artists (printmakers) or printmaking organizations to facilitate community-based workshops throughout the city over the next six to eight months. Qualified teams / organizations will be matched with community-based locations, and can also propose a workshop for their own facility.

If you are an artist team or an organization that would like to organize workshops for us, please review this background information and fill out this form.

Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP SITES

We are inviting any community organization that would like to host a workshop to apply for consideration. Please respond by filling out this form. Please note that our funding allows for a limited number of workshops available, and we may not be able to schedule workshops for all applicants.

Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Upcoming Workshop Schedule

Mimeograph Revolutionaries

March 31, 2025 | 2:30 – 5:30 pm

Wynnefield Library | 5325 Overbrook Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131

Made famous during the mid-20th century during the “Mimeograph Revolution,” these low-cost “Mimeo” machines allowed poets, artists, and civil rights groups to spread their messages, free from the confines of the traditional book and periodical publishing industries. Now more of a niche hobby, mimeography continues to be an easy, low-cost way of duplicating artwork or printed text.

Using the original design of the mimeograph and a simple table-top stencil duplicator, you will create your very own version of a mimeograph print! Learn how to create a frame using everyday materials, burn art using an old fax machine, and with other commonly found paints and paper, you will be able to make multiple copies of your art.

Leaders: Dre Grigoropol and Corey Bechelli

Please register here.

Printmaking by the People: printPHILLY! 2025

Saturday April 12 | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Parkway Central Library | Vine and 20th Street | FREE

Printmaking by the People will participate in the third annual printPHILLY! print fair at the Parkway Central Library on April 12!

Visit this Mural Arts pop-up to letterpress print your own poster, helping us to reimagine the Declaration of Independence as a living document that all people can add to. Artist Belle Handler, Mural Arts’ Ava Haitz and assisting artists will help provide participants with context and creative inspiration.

All are welcome to stop by and print, no prior experience is necessary. This is a great chance to learn about letterpress and the history of the Declaration of Independence and printmaking, and walk away with your very own poster-sized declaration!