Flatbed Press is set to open its new facility Aug. 17 with “Flatbed Family Day,” an open house printmaking event. The free, family-friendly event will feature nontoxic printmaking stations for people of all ages and abilities.
It’s the first of what will be a monthly free activity day aimed at introducing the community to the fine art of printmaking, Flatbed director and co-founder Katherine Brimberry said in a release.
Flatbed’s new 6,000 space is located at 3701 Drossett Drive, Suite 190, in Southeast Austin just south of Ben White Boulevard/Hwy. 71.
The new facility also brings with it a new name for all the printmaking goings on. Called the Flatbed Center for Contemporary Printmaking, it will include Flatbed Press, the nationally-recognized publisher of original fine art prints; Flatbed Gallery, a venue dedicated to representing and exhibiting contemporary printmaking; and the newly minted Flatbed Community Press with printmaking facilities for artists and the public. There’s also an outside green area where Flatbed leaders plan to use for outside events.
Read: “Extreme facilitator: Flatbed Press’ Katherine Brimberry”
Flatbed is moving to its new space after spending 20 years on East Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, anchoring a warehouse complex that was a major arts destination in East Austin and home to several galleries and studios. Flatbed lost its lease when the property’s owners decided to redevelop.
Flatbed started in 1989 as small print shop on West Third Street in what is now the Seaholm District on the west edge of downtown.
