SJAC would like to extend special thanks to the Province of New Brunswick and especially Mr. Gerry Lowe, MLA for Saint John Harbour, for making the expansion of our printmaking facilities possible!
In an ongoing project, we have been working to add silkscreen printing capacity to our existing printmaking studio, the only such facility in Greater Saint John. Our UV unit and ‘darkroom’ renovation in 2018 was an important first step, and we have invested in equipment like our mobile print drying rack with the generous help of our print studio sponsor, Taylor Printing Group Inc. and other kind donors of silkscreen tools.
A provincial Community Investment Funding (CIF) grant of $5000 allowed us to complete this ambitious expansion. This important grant has funded the renovation of a former maintenance closet to be our new silkscreen spray booth plus the necessary equipment, and the purchase of our first silkscreen stations and screens.
Talented instructors are already lined up and eager to teach these highly-anticipated workshops – watch our website for news on upcoming classes when we are able to re-open!
Check out the slideshow below for in-progress photos of our bright new spray booth space, largely renovated by our own multi-talented Maintenance Supervisor Larry Morin.
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SJAC’s Maintenance Supervisor Larry Morin is an expert at recycling and re-using materials for renovations – here he is adapting the doorway on the former maintenance closet so the new hot water tank could move a few crucial feet to make way for the spray booth.
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Here’s Larry’s renovated entryway, almost ready for new flooring! The hot water tank, ventilation equipment, and screen drying/storage rack are all installed.
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The new spray booth, and re-purposed janitor’s sink for cleanup.
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Two of our new silkscreen stations, which are portable/moveable for easy installation with existing tables.