MUNCIE, Ind. — At Tribune Showprint, community members can expand their creative pallet through this free workshop once every month.
At 145 years old, Tribune Showprint is the oldest continuously operating letterpress shop in the country. It’s been in Muncie since 2016 with Madjax, and has since found its place on Dr. MLK Blvd.
Created in January of 2024, Open Press Nights intended to invite people to the new shop separate from Madjax, and travel back in time to create their own vintage poster. Letterpress printing was popular for carnivals, fairs and shows. They were also a way to inform the public.
“I love teaching people how to print,” said Kim Miller, owner of Tribune Showprint. “It gives me a lot of joy. I want everyone to love print how I do.”
As president of Muncie Arts and a former teacher, Miller enjoys reaching out to many audiences. She feels that having Open Press Nights is important in keeping the community familiar with the shop.
“Being involved in the human rights commission and being involved in some of the other neighborhoods where people can’t go to things because of money, I found it super important for us to be able to do something like that,” Miller said.
There is a variety of designs to choose from, and participants are allowed to bring in their drawings, carvings or pictures they desire. Kevin Klinger is a frequent visitor of Tribune Showprint and an Associate professor of architecture. Klinger said he feels this activity is therapeutic, and the sky's the limit when it comes to designs.
“It’s an opportunity to explore your own creativity, you’ve got a whole range of different options that you can choose from but what you end up putting on the paper is a product of your own imagination. So, it really became a great place to dream,” Klinger said.
Tribune Showprint welcomes all people regardless of experience, whether this is your first time printing or not, workers are all hands on deck and will assist with the printing process.
Contact Kahmara Munn with comments at kahmara.munn@bsu.edu.
