Separate from the small studio located in Gravure Gallery is Don Gorvett's waterfront studio in East Gloucester, MA. Located at 211 East Main Street, our printmaking studio is situated inside the Beacon Marina - one of Gloucester's most famous waterfront buildings, a short 5 minute drive from Gravure Gallery. The marina building is situated on pilings above the East Gloucester shoreline, and the tide rises and falls below the structure, making for a truly unusual and scenic place to work. Gloucester Harbor has been a subject for dozens of notable artists throughout the last several centuries, but ours may just be the first printmaking studio actually situated over the harbor's waters. When the tide is very low, the remains of a sunken 1850's schooner can be seen in the mud outside. When the tide is high, gulls and eider ducks float by the windows, just a few feet away.
The Beacon Marina.
Inside, the studio is comfortable and well equipped. The well-heated space consists of two rooms; one very large , partially finished space, and another, smaller room which currently houses an American French Tool Press, with a 32" x 53" bed. In addition to the press, the studio is well equipped with a large inking table, a 5' tall drying rack accomodating prints up to 30"x 48", a large work bench, a clean table for preparing paper, and a two-bay restaurant sink. In terms of tools, the studio is stocked with pallate knives, inks, solvents, various sized soaking trays, and several hot plates for heating etching grounds. We have a vertical etching bath which can fit plates ranging in size up to 18" x 24", however larger plates can still be etched in a variety of larger photo trays kept on hand. The studio is well lit with flourescent lights, in addition to the large amount of natural light streaming in from two large windows which overlook the tidal waterfront.
This summer, we are offering workshops in Reduction Woodcut and etching. We have plenty of carving and inking tables in our large outer room and groups of several students will be quite comfortable working in the space, not to mention the endless inspiration surrounding the studio here in East Gloucester. In addition to our workshop offerings, press time rental is available for more experienced printmakers who need a space to work and print in, but not requiring instruction. Call us at (978) 282-8881 or email us if you are interested, or if you'd simply like to drop by the studio for a visit.
Summer 2010 Workshop Schedule:
Reduction Woodcut Master Classes with Don Gorvett
Learn the art of reduction woodcut and create a small edition of your own multi-color print. This class is a 5 day intensive, running Monday to Friday, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, with an hour lunch break from 12:00 - 1:00. $400, all materials included. 4 Student minimum.
Session 1: June 21-25
Session 2: July 5-9
Session 3: July 26-30
Session 4: July 9-13
Etching with Sean Hurley
Learn to make intaglio prints, using copper plates. We’ll explore various techniques including hardground etching, drypoint, and aquatint. This class meets once weekly for four weeks, on Saturdays from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM. $300, includes materials. 3 Student minimum.
Session 1: June 5, 12, 19, 26
Session 2: July 10, 17, 24, 31
Session 3: August 7, 14, 21, 28
