Arion Press King Artist Residency

Arion Press is pleased to announce the launch of the King Artist in Residency—a new initiative in honor of the Grabhorn Institute’s late board chair Kevin King. The King Residency will bring visual artists to Arion’s historic facility to create and conceive book and print projects alongside the Press’s team of expert craftspeople. Artists will have the opportunity for hands-on training and collaboration with Arion’s foundry, pressroom, and bindery and enjoy access to unique printmaking equipment, archives, and resources located at the historic press. The King Residency has committed funding for three years and has assembled a Steering Committee of community leaders to guide the program. Each residency will be for up to six weeks, with studio and living space provided for the artist.

The inaugural artist-in-residence was Texas-born painter Vincent Valdez, who worked closely with the Arion staff to create the artwork for the Press’s 2023 edition of Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Valdez was in residence at the Press from March 13 to April 17. 

Being onsite at Arion will give artists in-depth access to materials, tools, and tutorials – offering an inside look at the techniques and skills in the art of hand bookmaking. The King Residency’s mission is to offer contemporary artists the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of bookmaking and printing, the space to create powerful new work, and the chance to connect with the wider Bay Area art world through a carefully curated calendar of events and visits. 

STEERING COMMITTEE 

• Ted Gioia, Program & Development Director at Arion Press  

• Eve King, Educator

• Cheryl Haines, Principal of Haines Gallery & Executive Director of FOR-SITE Foundation

• Susan Miller, Executive Director of McEvoy Foundation for the Arts

• Jennifer Morla, President & Creative Director of Morla Design

• Blake Riley, Creative Director and Lead Printer at Arion Press