Workshops and Classes

At Zea Mays we offer a range of classes and workshops in
safer etching,
photo-etching,
collagraph printmaking,
monotype, relief printmaking,
artists' books, drypoint, and more.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS are geared towards a variety of experience levels. There’s something for everyone! Once you’ve taken a class or workshop, you can use the facilities during open studio times, enabling you to continue your work independently with technical support from Zea Mays staff.

Zea Mays’ classes and workshops are open to a maximum of six participants.

INTAGLIO
Etching combines the delicacy of drawing with the sculptural feel of tools on metal. Learn safer alternatives to the traditional etching processes explored by such masters as Rembrandt, Picasso and Kollwitz. You’ll work on copper plates and explore hard ground, soft ground, aquatint and drypoint methods.

Acrylic Resist Etching
Acrylic Resist Etching is the latest in safer etching. Acrylic products are substituted for the toxic chemicals and grounds used in traditional etching. The processes change a bit, but the results are still magnificent, intaglio prints. Learn how to use the new resists and to set up a safer print shop.

Photopolymer Etching
An introduction to photo process etching using simple and safe methods. Photopolymer etching produces fabulous results from hand drawn, photo-generated and digital imagery. Copper plates can be etched traditionally, or processed in the new "non-etch" techniques.

Collagraph Printmaking
Collagraphs are rich in texture and color.
This flexible, non-toxic printmaking technique utilizes collage to create a relief printing plate. The plate is then inked and printed in a wide variety of methods ranging from traditional editioning to monoprinting. This flexible technique allows artists to experiment and adapt it to their own style.

Monotype
Combine the freedom of painting with the beauty of printmaking. You’ll use brushes, rollers, drawing tools, and stencils on Plexiglas plates to create unique prints. Monotype is a great way for painters and sculptors to get new perspectives on their work, and for printmakers to satisfy the urge to be spontaneous! You’ll work with high quality, water-based monotype inks.

Relief Printmaking
Linocuts and woodcuts are relief techniques that emphasize the dramatic use of line. A variety of techniques are investigated including traditional black and white line drawings, multiple color prints, and reduction methods.

Artists' Books
Artists' books are unique works of art that use the idea of a book as a jumping off point for a work of art that can be narrative, sequential or randomly linked. We'll introduce different types of book structures and different ways to approach the open-ended idea of an "artist's book". You will learn how to integrate monotype printmaking and collage into the book and learn several types of bookmaking techniques, including: accordion fold, Japanese stab bindings and pamphlet stitch.

Drypoint
Drypoint is an intaglio printmaking process whereby the artist draws directly onto the metal plate with a sharp tool. No chemical etching takes place. The resulting print captures the spontaneity of the mark and conveys a beautiful, feathery line quality.