WSW has been making quality handmade papers since 1979. Our Papermaking studio is designed for sheet-forming processes, low relief, and three-dimensional work.

In 1999, WSW began the ArtFarm program, which allows us to grow our own fibers  for hand papermaking. Through ArtFarm we’ve now tested over one hundred native and invasive species for their fiber strength, coloring capacity, print worthiness, and translucency.

Papermaking Studio Equipment List

• 1000 sq. ft. studio space
• Two 1-1/2 lb. Hollander beaters: one David Reina and one custom built
• 30″ x 40″ hydraulic press
• Vats up to 22″x 28″
• 4′ x 6′ custom stainless steel vacuum table
• A variety of moulds and deckles including small sugetas
• 30″ x 40″ stack dryer
• Outdoor cooking facility for fibers and dyes

In WSW’s Silkscreen studio, artists can screenprint on paper or fabric, using traditional or photo techniques. We only use water based/acrylic media. For a fee, we can also make screens for artists who are working on projects outside of our studios.

Silkscreen Studio Equipment List

• 900 sq. ft. studio space
• Exposing table 33″ x 45″
• Drying rack 45″ x 68″
• Wide range of screens up to 3′ x 4′
• Power washer
• Photo facilities for images up to 30″ x 40″
• 32 linear feet of textile printing surface
• Squeegees from 4″ to 34″

WSW’s Letterpress studio is equipped to handle projects that employ handset lead or wood type; photopolymer plates; wood or linoleum block; and die cut imagery.

Letterpress Studio Equipment List

• 11″ x 18″ Chandler and Price platen press
• Two 14″ x 18″ Vandercook Proof press No. 3 (manual)
• One 19″ x 26″ Vandercook SP20 (electric)
• A variety of lead and wooden typefaces
• 9″ x 12″ magnetic base
• 13″ x 24″ Line-O-Scribe proof press
• Vacuum platemaker 23.5″ x 29.5″

Rather than use traditional acids to etch plates, Women’s Studio Workshop uses non-toxic materials: ferric chloride for copper and salt etch for aluminum and zinc. We generally stock copper and plastic plates, along with a selection of fine print and handmade papers.

Etching Studio Equipment List

• 1200 sq. ft. studio space
• Two Charles Brand press, 30″ x 50″ and 26″ x 48″
• 18″ x 22″ viscosity rollers
• A separate ventilated acid room with a 4’ x 29” workspace and stainless steel sink
• Hot plate 20”x 24”
• Flexible shaft rotary tool
• 18″ x 24″ vertical tank with Ferric Chloride
• Etching trays up to 25″ x 30″
• Drying rack 30″ x 46″
• Damp/dry box 28″ x 42″
• Glass top inking table 26″ x 8′
• Photopolymer platemaking capacity up to 23″ x 29″

WSW’s Book Arts equipment allow artists to create and bind work, ranging from the simplest saddle-stitched book to the finest codex.

Book Arts Studio Equipment List

• Electric guillotine 33″ throat
• Board shear (Jacques) 40″
• Two book presses: 10″ x 13″ and 11″ x 16″
• English sewing frame
• English cutting frame
• Standard wooden press
• Cradles
• Spiral binder
• Saddle stitcher

WSW maintains a complete black and white darkroom, as well as limited digital facilities that may be used by special request. Artists can comfortably print up to 16”x 20” in this space.

Darkroom Studio Equipment List

• Two Omega D2 enlargers with 35mm to 4″ x 5″ negative capacity
• Omega B22XL enlarger
• Bessler 4″ x 5″
• Dry mount facilities
• Contact frames up to 20″ x 25″
• Saunders easels 11″ x 14″ and 24″ x 24″
• Focus scopes
• 100″ sink
• Trays to 20″ x 24″

Artists working in any of our studios have access to the digital resources in our studio with assistance from a trained staff person. Additional resources are available through our relationship with the SUNY New Paltz Digital Fabrication Lab, and can be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

In-Studio Digital Resources List

• 28″ Vinyl Plotter and Editing Software
• 24″ Epson Printer
• Large format scanner
• HP Color Laser Printer
• Kyocera Black and White Inkjet Printer
• Xerox Machine
• Adobe Creative Suite

PLAYA has one printmaking studio and 4 multidisciplinary art studios.

Sandhill, the printmaking studio is an expansive space that houses 3 printing presses, a sink and large movable tables. The studio is 22′ x 22′ with ceilings that are nearly 18′ high. It has large wall space that can support pinned work or use the metal magnetic strip to hang prints. Windows are high on the north wall and there is a garage door facing south that can be opened creating an indoor/outdoor studio.

Avocet Studio has windows and a glass door that faces north. Other windows in the studio face east and south. This studio has a large wall to work on and pin items to and a large moveable table, a smaller table and sink. The ceiling is slanted with a height of 11′ and is approximately 13′ x 22′.

Petroglyph studio has three windows that face east, south and west. It is approximately 10′ x 20′ with a 12′ ceiling. It has a closet with a sink, walls for pinning work to and three work tables. 

Diablo Studio is attached to Diablo cabin. It has a skylight and a sliding glass door that faces east. This studio has a large wall to work on and pin items to and a large moveable table, a smaller table and sink. The ceiling is slanted with a height of 11' and is approximately 16' x 11'.

Wildcat Studio is attached to Wildcat cabin. It has a skylight and a sliding glass door that faces east. This studio has a large wall to work on and pin items to and a large moveable table, a smaller table and sink. The ceiling is slanted with a height of 8' and is approximately 17' x 11'.

We host studios in two buildings, B13 & B34. Each of the spaces and each of their studios have their own dimensions and provisions. Some studios have 8-foot walls in a 13-foot-high mill space; others are fully partitioned to the ceiling. Some are better for work made on the floor, some for work made on walls. We do our best to pair our residents with a studio that matches their practice. The smallest studio is 120 sq ft and the largest is 280 sq ft. The average size is about 172 sq ft. Wall material ranges from drywall to brick to translucent plastic. Floors in B13 are plywood, while in B34 they’re cement. All studios are wheelchair accessible, lockable and safe to leave equipment and supplies in.

Each studio is minimally furnished with a desk or folding table, a chair, and most have a small shelf. Additional folding tables are available. Lighting is overhead LED troffers (typical commercial office lighting) and we have clamp lights to augment. There are shared slop sinks in both buildings. Easels, additional worktables or alternative seating can likely be provided, but you should consider bringing the essentials to meet the needs of your practice. If you have special pieces of furniture or equipment you would like to request, please make note in your application. Although we cannot guarantee special requests, we’ll do our best to help you find the proper equipment you’ll need for your time here. In addition, each studio building is equipped with a small tool library. A full list of tools available is below. All art materials and most equipment must be provided by the participant.

Learn more at: https://www.assetsforartists.org/facilities

Each artist who is selected for the program will be provided with 24/7 access to an individual, work-only studio space in BCA’s Artist Studios Building at 551 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End for a maximum term of three years. Studios range from 140-540 square feet. Studio space includes free Wi-Fi and heat, and reduced rate access to available rehearsal space at BCA, as well as access to a vibrant professional community, opportunities for public visibility for their work, and support for artistic development through participation in a range of programmatic events and activities.

IMPORTANT NOTES, RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITS:

Overall:

Studios in the building are WORK ONLY, not live-work space;

Studios and common space in the building may not be the site of any public events, which means that any non-residents coming into the building must be entering on the basis of an individual invitation; and

The studios building is a four floor, walk-up building, with no elevator and no loading dock.

In Addition:

We look forward to inviting artists across disciplines to pursue their art through the BCA Studio Residency program, within the realistic constraints and restrictions related to the physical structure itself, which includes a particulate-based fire suppression system, non-sound-proofed walls and floors, sometimes spotty wi-fi and old pipes.

We welcome applications from artists at all career stages, income levels, and geographic locations. We primarily seek applications from visual artists (painters, sculptors, installation artists, photographers, video/new media artists, fiber artists, printmakers, etc.). Our studios are not well suited for artists who do not work quietly (nothing is sound-proofed). In addition, the studios have only light ventilation, so an art practice generating strong fumes cannot be accommodated. We look forward to inviting artists across disciplines to pursue their art through the BCA Studio Residency program, within the realistic constraints and restrictions related to the physical structure itself, which includes a particulate-based fire suppression system, non-sound-proofed walls and floors, sometimes spotty wi-fi and old pipes.

We welcome applications from artists at all career stages, income levels, and geographic locations. We primarily seek applications from visual artists (painters, sculptors, installation artists, photographers, video/new media artists, fiber artists, printmakers, etc.). Our studios are not well suited for artists who do not work quietly (nothing is sound-proofed). In addition, the studios have only light ventilation, so an art practice generating strong fumes cannot be accommodated. 

Studios are private, and communal.  Some studios are dedicated to certain disciplines and others are flexible.  Most of the equipment is in communal spaces. 

Studio Space

• Approximately  14 by 24-foot studio space, a 10 by 10-foot outdoor covered porch, 9 by 8-foot studio hydraulic lift door, workbench with basic tools, bathroom/storage area
• Natural and track lighting
• Worktables
• Easels including a travel/field easel
• Basic miscellaneous art supplies, drop cloth, mineral spirits, rags, waste disposal
• Studio is available for resident use May – October

The studios are located in private rooms on the second floor of the community center located across the street. The second floor is accessible by stairs, elevator, and freight elevator with assistance from the building manager. The floors are concrete, and the building was formerly used as a garment factory. Each artist is designated to one studio.