Baldessin Press and Studio Open Studios

Baldessin Press and Studio welcomes visitors to explore its renowned printmaking workshop in St Andrews as part of Melbourne Design Week 2025. Over the weekend of May 24th & 25th, visitors can take guided tours of the studio, gaining insight into traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques, including intaglio etching, relief, and photogravure.

An exhibition of recent artworks and artist books will be on display, showcasing the work of artists who regularly print at the studio. Live demonstrations will run throughout the weekend, offering an opportunity to see various print processes in action and engage directly with the artists. Visitors will also have the chance to register for upcoming workshops and learn about the studio’s artist residencies, which provide dedicated time and space for artists to develop their practice in a supportive printmaking environment.

Situated in a bushland setting, Baldessin Press and Studio offers a unique environment where art, design, and craftsmanship intersect. This event provides a chance to experience the creative process behind printmaking and discover the role it plays in contemporary art and design.

Schedule

Saturday 24 May

Baldessin Press and Studio Tour
Visitors are invited to explore Baldessin Press and Studio through a guided tour of its printmaking workshop, artist facilities, and accommodation residences. Set in a bushland environment, the studio supports both traditional and contemporary printmaking, with specialised equipment for intaglio, relief, and photogravure. The tour provides insight into the creative process, showcasing how artists develop their work in this unique setting. Guests will also visit the on-site accommodation options, which offer a dedicated space for artists undertaking residencies. This tour is an opportunity to experience the intersection of art, craft, and design in a working printmaking studio.

Intaglio Etching Printing Demonstration
Join us at Baldessin Press and Studio for a demonstration of intaglio printmaking, a process that involves incising an image into a metal plate—either zinc or copper—before inking and printing. This session will showcase key techniques such as etching, aquatint, and drypoint, revealing how artists create rich textures and fine details through this traditional method. Visitors will see firsthand how the plate is prepared, inked, and printed using a press, gaining insight into the precision and craftsmanship required. There will be opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the materials and processes involved in intaglio printmaking.

Photopolymer Photogravure Printing Demonstration
Join us at Baldessin Press and Studio for a live demonstration of printing from a photopolymer photogravure plate. This process, which merges photography with intaglio printmaking, produces rich tonal depth and fine detail. Visitors will see how an inked plate is carefully wiped, registered, and printed using an etching press, revealing the unique qualities of this technique. The demonstration will highlight the subtleties of inking and wiping to achieve varied effects, offering insight into the craftsmanship involved. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and observe the final transformation from plate to print.

Sunday 25 May

Baldessin Press and Studio Tour
Visitors are invited to explore Baldessin Press and Studio through a guided tour of its printmaking workshop, artist facilities, and accommodation residences. Set in a bushland environment, the studio supports both traditional and contemporary printmaking, with specialised equipment for intaglio, relief, and photogravure. The tour provides insight into the creative process, showcasing how artists develop their work in this unique setting. Guests will also visit the on-site accommodation options, which offer a dedicated space for artists undertaking residencies. This tour is an opportunity to experience the intersection of art, craft, and design in a working printmaking studio.

Relief Printing Demonstration
Join us for a live relief printing demonstration at Baldessin Press & Studio, where visitors can observe the process of carving, inking, and printing from a relief block. This hands-on technique, used in linocut and woodcut printing, creates bold, textural images through the careful removal of material from a printing surface. The demonstration will showcase the tools, materials, and techniques involved, offering insight into the precision and creativity behind relief printmaking. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of this traditional yet versatile printmaking method.

Mokulito (Woodless Lithography) Demonstration
Discover Mokulito, a unique alternative lithography technique that uses wood instead of traditional stone or metal plates. This demonstration at Baldessin Press & Studio will explore the process of drawing onto a plywood surface, preparing the plate, and printing the image using a press. Combining elements of both lithography and woodcut, Mokulito allows for expressive mark-making and rich tonal variation. Attendees will gain insight into the materials, tools, and methods involved, seeing firsthand how this innovative approach expands the possibilities of printmaking. There will be opportunities to ask questions and learn more about integrating Mokulito into creative practice.