Firestation Print Studio
Description
Firestation Print Studio is a unique facility supporting the creative life of Stonnington and beyond as Melbourne's only 24-hour-access community print studio.
The old Malvern Fire Station building served the local fire brigade for the better part of a century (1906-1988). It sits within a heritage precinct and has maintained much of its original structure and features. Behind the historic façade, visitors will be able to identify the original parking spaces for fire trucks, pegs for hanging fire hats, and accommodation spaces for fire fighters.
When the building faced demolition in 1989, supporters rallied the the local council, and it was saved and repurposed into an arts facility. It soon after became a centre for printmaking, and since 2001 has been home to the Firestation Print Studio.
What's On
Come through the original fire station big red doors and tour the exhibition gallery, printmaking workshop spaces with presses and letterpress equipment, and the artist’s studios upstairs!
Visitors will have open access to explore the main printing studio, where there will be demonstrations of printmaking techniques such as etching and linocut. In the backroom workshop, visitors can participate in letterpress and gel plate printing techniques—these activities are always popular with children!
Upstairs, our resident artist’s studios will be open for a peek behind the creative scenes. Our printmakers will be available to explain their artistic processes, from the inception and execution of artwork to its presentation in the gallery. Our exhibition gallery will display artwork produced by participants in our various print clubs.
We invite visitors to discover the opportunities open to learn and practice printmaking in this welcoming and vibrant artistic community. These include our linocut, reduction linocut, intaglio and letterpress print clubs which are held monthly. These print clubs are open to printer-makers at every level, from those who have undertaken our introductory workshops and wish to develop their art practice, to experienced practitioners wishing to utilise our comprehensive printmaking facilities.
Children's Activities
Children will be able to take part in simple printmaking techniques, such as gel plate and letterpress printing, creating unique pieces of artwork to take home. They will be able to see how traditional and modern printmaking techniques produce stunning results in the hands of our team of volunteer printmakers.
Images: (1) Firestation Print Studio – Façade FPS building. (2) Firestation Print Studio – Printmaking demonstration – copper plate etching. (3) Firestation Print Studio – Printmaking - linocut. (4) Firestation Print Studio – Printmaking workshop - linocut. (5) Firestation Print Studio – Printmaking - letterpress. All photos: Elizabeth McDowell.
Important Details
Time & Date
Saturday 25 July
Open access 11am-5pm
No open-toed footwear allowed for health and safety reasons. Sturdy shoes are recommended due to uneven floor and stairs.
Please be careful if you have food or drink.
Photography is only allowed at the artists' discretion—please ask before taking photos and check if social media is ok.
ACCESSIBILITY
Ramp or level (step free) entry, Accessible bathrooms, All-gender bathrooms, Accessible parking, Assistance animals welcome, All ages
Accessible street and off-street parking is available nearby including in the public car park to the side of the Firestation Print Studio.
Our gallery, main printmaking workshop and bathroom are on the ground floor and are all wheelchair accessible.
Access to our back room is via one step from the front rooms.
Unfortunately, our upstairs artist studios are only accessible via a flight of stairs.
