Classes & Events
We invite you to step away from the daily grind and experience the world of letterpress printing. Spend time in the Nesja Press studio learning, creating and getting hands-on with type, ink, and presses. Classes are small to give everyone work space, and allow Christy ample time with each participant. Beginners welcome! Create something new with old-school methods – a fun, unique and memorable creative experience!
Spring Art Tour, May 17 - 19
We cordially invite you to visit our home and studio during the Mount Horeb Area Arts Association Spring Art Tour. Meet Christy and Paul Nesja of Nesja Press, and visiting artist Jane Nass at tour stop No.8. For a full tour map visit SpringArtTour.com.
Creative Afternoon Block Printing, April 20
Enjoy a creative afternoon with friends in our printing studio! Design and carve your own 3 x 5 inch linoleum block. Select an ink color and print 10 greeting cards on our 1960s era Vandercook Press. You'll leave with a set of personally made cards, envelopes and a stationery box to store them in. Up to 5 people, ages 14 and up.
Creative Night Out: Block Printing, April 5
Enjoy a creative night out with friends in our printing studio! Design and carve your own 3 x 5 inch linoleum block. Select an ink color and print 10 greeting cards on our 1960s era Vandercook Press. You'll leave with a set of personally made cards, envelopes and a stationery box to store them in. Up to 5 people, ages 14 and up.
Intro to Typesetting and Letterpress, March 16
Learn how to set metal type by hand and letterpress print on a platen press. Christy will provide an overview of printing history, printer’s measurements, typecase layouts, composing sticks and type lock-ups. Participants will typeset their own name and letterpress print a set of 20 personalized notecards. Small class, up to 4 people, ages 16 and older. No prior experience necessary.
FREE THE BOOKS: A Print Exhibition
Our print, “Brain on Books,” is part of this important exhibition at the Evanston Public Library through April 2024. This exhibition encourages letterpress printers and artists to support every individual’s right to read and express their dismay at the alarming uptick in book challenges in recent years. Organized by the Evanston Public Library, Starshaped Press and Hive Center for Book Arts.
Intro to Typesetting and Letterpress, Feb. 24
Learn how to set metal type by hand and letterpress print on a platen press. Christy will give an overview of printing history, printer's measurements, typecase layouts, composing sticks and type lock-ups. Participants will typeset their own name and print a set of 20 personalized notecards. Small class, up to 4 people, ages 16 and up. Beginners welcome! Sign up with a friend for this unique, hands-on experience.
We don’t always have classes scheduled on our calendar – sometimes life calls us in other directions! Classes we have held and will offer again are explained below. We are continually developing class ideas and creative opportunities. Check back again to see what’s new, or sign up for our email list to receive new class alerts.
Intro to Typesetting & Letterpress
Learn how to set metal type by hand and letterpress print on a platen press. We'll be using similar methods that Gutenberg used 500+ years ago, except we won’t be working by candlelight! Christy will provide an overview of printing history, printer’s measurements, typecase layouts, composing sticks and type lock-ups. Participants will learn how to typeset a few words, such as their name, a business name or a short phrase, and letterpress print a set of 20 personalized notecards.
Creative Afternoon
Block Printing
Enjoy a creative afternoon in our printing studio. Design and carve your own 3 x 5 inch linoleum block. Select an ink color, hand bray your block and print 10 greeting cards on our 1960s era Vandercook Press. Come with your own creative ideas, or use our reference images and examples to get started. You'll leave with a set of personally made cards you'll feel proud to use! We also provide envelopes and a clear stationery box for storage.
Contact us if you’d like to schedule a small group studio experience on a specific date and time. We’d be happy to host your private event or team building experience!