Metropolitan Gallery 250 Presents 
“Second State, Second Edition”

The Crane Arts Second State Press to show new print work from emerging local talent

PHILADELPHIA (January 8, 2013) – Philadelphia’s print artist community has been livened by the sustainable workspace provided by Second State Press, a workshop based at Crane Arts in Kensington. Metropolitan Gallery 250 is happy to host them for the first time in Rittenhouse Square, debuting the group’s “Second State, Second Edition” show running January 19th to February 24th, 2012.

The exhibition is comprised of forty-six, 8”x10” prints created by the members of Second State Press, and includes work within a number of mediums, including intaglio (etching), relief, screen printing and lithography. A special First Friday reception that is free and open to the public, will he held inMetropolitan Gallery 250 on February 1st from 6-9pm.

“Second State, Second Edition” is an exciting and unique continuation of the annual Print Exchange, where Second State Press volunteers known as “Fob Holders” have the opportunity to create and show new bodies of work for their peers and their community. The Fob Holders hold coveted spots as members of this competitive program, having unlimited access to the Second State Press workspace in exchange for twelve hours of volunteer work per week within the space.

McTague elaborates, “The Print Exchange is a key component to Second State Press.  This year, we doubled the number of members participation and with the addition of our Fob Holders work inMetropolitan Gallery’s “Second State, Second Edition”, we are especially able to highlight the accomplishments of these breakout artists.”

Second State Press is the premier printmaking workshop in greater Philadelphia. Located on the bottom floor of the Crane Arts building in the South Kensington neighborhood, Second State Press serves as a creative workspace that fosters the development of ideas and innovation for emerging artists. Spearheaded by the Second State Press Directors, Jennifer McTague and Zach Lindenberger, the group provides their artists with printmaking tools, presses and inks through its membership program, paired with the opportunity to continuously grow their work through their annual Print Exchange exhibit.

“The idea is to give artists a professional workshop that’s also affordable,” says Jennifer McTague, Co-Director of SSP.  “There are some interesting things that happen when printmakers from all different backgrounds come to together and share ideas, creating an amazing dialogue around contemporary print making.”

The exhibit will show on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5pm January 19th through February 24th, and by appointment on weekdays.

For a private showing or information about Second State Press/Metropolitan Gallery 250, please contact Dani Sigel at 508-523-9796. 

For more info on Second State Press, visit http://secondstatepress.org.

About Metropolitan Gallery 250