Welcome to our Four Oceans Press quarterly hand-pulled print exchange and calendar project. Please read all details before signing up for the exchange.
How it works This is a simple print exchange. You print an edition of 26 hand-pulled prints in any traditional print media – Woodblock, Linoleum, Serigraph, Lithograph or Intaglio. (Of course, you will not print it from your computer or the local copy shop) You will have about three months between sign up and deadline so you have plenty of time to be creative and explore the theme.
Send the prints as soon as they are finished and dry. We will coordinate and collate the prints and return to you a pile of 25 prints from 25 different artists. The 26th set will go into our archives where they will be permanently displayed on a separate page on this website [Click here to see the Archive page] and may be used for future projects.
See more details in the After the exchange section below.
Theme South
Color B/W or Color. Color is encouraged, but we love a good b/w image.
Image Size At least 6” x 8” but no larger than 8.5” x 11”.
Paper Size Paper must be no larger than 8.5” x 11”. It is ok if the image bleeds off the edge of the paper.
Medium Woodblock, Linoleum, Serigraph, Lithograph or Intaglio
Paper type Any archival paper appropriate to your printing method can be used.
Print Deadline April 15, 2010
Prints Returned May 15, 2010
Drop outs If you think you may not be able to complete the exchange, please do not sign up for it – everyone is counting on each other. We all understand that life sometimes gets in the way of art, but please consider whether or not you have time for this before you commit yourself. If something comes up and you will not be able to complete the exchange – please let us know as soon as you know. Each participant will be turning in a full set of prints and will want to get a full set back.
Communication We will communicate with each participant by e-mail. [kathe@fouroceanspress.com or heather@fouroceanspress.com ] Communication is essential. If you have questions or problems – let us know.
After the exchange – the calendar project The archived images will be scanned and placed on our website for permanent display with a link to your website (if you don’t have one – see below).
12 images - three prints from each of the Cardinal Directions exchanges - will be chosen for our 2011 Calendar project. The four themes - North, East, South and West – with scheduled exchange dates are listed below. The prints will be chosen based on image quality and how well they fit together as a group.
The Artist retains all rights to their image. We are only using it once. If we want to use your image for something else later we will ask permission and discuss compensation with you at that point.
The Third annual Calendar project - 2011 Print Makers Calendar - is expected in October 2010. If your print is chosen for this project you will receive five copies of the 2011 Calendar. You will have the option to purchase more at a reduced rate for sale to your customers.
More information about the Calendar project will be posted as we get closer complete each stage.
Plastic Sleeves You can buy a set of 30 from us for cheap here.
1 set 30 sleeves 8.5 x 11
Other sizes and quantities may be available - please e-mail us with questions.
Is the schedule for the next few exchanges set? Yes! Here is our schedule for this year!
Questions? We have answers. Check out our FAQ for more information.
Updates will be posted regularly
Entry Fee for the North Exchange Pay your $10 entry fee through PayPal here or you can mail it in with your prints.
Click the link above, fill out the form, pay your entry fee and start working on your print...
Mailing your prints: Send your 26 prints (with biographies) and a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage. (Please do not use printed postage with dates on them as the post office has told us that those can only be used for one or two days after they are printed. If you send them, we will have to pay the full cost anyway. Please use regular stamps, only, you can send them with your prints in a smaller envelope. Return postage can be $5 to $15 depending on where you live. Keep in mind that returned print packages are often heavier than what you have sent in to us. Please include a little extra postage since many artists use different papers and weights can vary.) If you would prefer to send us the postage fee and have us put the stamps on for you, you may do so by sending us the postage through PayPal.
We like a colophon as much as the next guy, but that means we have to keep all of the prints together and that is not always very realistic. For this exchange, please include 27 copies of your biography. We will send them – with your print to their next home.
Ideally, we would like to see each set of prints in plastic sleeves with your biography in the back. You can buy plastic sleeves online, at your local art dealer or you can buy a set of 30 from us for cheap by clicking on the link to the left.
$10 flat entry fee - pay it through PayPal (to the left) or mail us a check after you sign up. Keep in mind you will not be officially signed in until we receive your Entry Fee.
Mail all correspondents (prints) to:
Heather Piazza Four Oceans Press 5015 Woodminster Lane Oakland, CA 94602
Hints on writing your biography: Include your name, city/country, type of art, and then tell a bit about your work.
First, determine if you are talking about all of your work, a small part of your work or a particular piece of your art. When attempting to describe your work ask yourself:
What is this piece about? What was I thinking about when I came up with the ideas(s)? What do I hope the viewer walks away with?
Consider having a section about the print and a section about you - people want to know about you and your process.
Add your website or Blog URL (if you have one).
Check out Artist Foundation for more help writing a biography or artist statement.
Set up your own space on the web: If you don’t have one consider getting a free Blog to showcase your work.
If your are interested in a website you can set up a free website with Google.