PigPrints is a printmaking studio and artist residency with facilities in Milan, Italy.
Founded by artist and printmaker Guido Pigni, PigPrints specializes in intaglio techniques, and focuses on creating and promoting works achieved through printmaking by emerging and established contemporary artists. The prints are made by the artists working independently or in close collaboration with the studio staff and are hand-printed on our etching presses.
In addition to collaborations with artists, PigPrints offers contract printing services.

PigPrints’ founder Guido Pigni, who is also a painter and a multidisciplinary artist, has extensive experience in the field of printmaking.
“I started PigPrints in 2010 as a means to share my passion for printmaking with fellow artists I knew or whose work I admired.” Beginning with two small etchings by Franco Matticchio, more than 35 “PigPrints” editions were subsequently published until 2018.

Reopened in 2020 in a new beautiful luminous 160 sq. mt. (1700 sq. feet) fully equipped studio, PigPrints now operates on different levels:

• it’s a collaborative print workshop where artists can work independently on their personal projects, profiting from the quality professional equipment as well as the tranquility and inspiring atmosphere of the place.
• it’s a place where invited artists can work alongside the studio staff and benefit of their assistance to create shared projects. Prints and editions produced over such collaborations can be exhibited in the in-house gallery space.
• It’s a venue open for residencies where artists, primarily but not only printmakers, can experience a period of work in an intimate and fully equipped printshop and enjoy a private studio/bedroom 24/7
• It’s a community for relationships where artists can meet their peers and people of any artistic level may exchange experiences and learn mutually. Everybody is welcome to experience the life of the studio through its workshops, lectures, seminars and other events that are organized on a regular basis.

Mission

Collaborating with artists to explore the process of making prints while expanding their aesthetic vocabulary is the backbone of our mission.
Research and experimentation with traditional as well as new techniques are encouraged. Only the very best materials are used. The use of safe quality non-toxic materials, papers and inks is paramount when possible.
Anybody willing to work in an open, collaborative and friendly manner is welcome. By sharing and building together a welcoming creative environment with a spirit of true collaboration Pigprints aims to promote a new culture of mutual support among artists as opposed to a purely career-oriented vision. Through our in-house gallery we want to offer original art from both emerging and established artists at an affordable price. Likewise fees to open-access work, workshops and residencies are kept as low as possible. Special arrangements for those experiencing a particular emergency state in their life or their career can be made.

 

Studio Services and Facilities

PigPrints is a 160 square-metre workspace located in Milan’s Dergano neighborhood, a tranquil area easily reachable by the metro (MM3 Dergano or Maciachini stations are 5 minutes walk from the studio. Central Station is 3 stops along the same line).

Refurbished in 2020, the studio consists of a luminous open space which is the core of the printmaking activities. A separate 25 square-metre room serves as a “clean area” for drawing or where taking a break with one of the numerous art books from the library. It also serves as private studio for the resident artists. A fully-equipped kitchen with all facilities is available.

We have two intaglio presses, one 120×70 cm and a smaller 50×80 cm, a vented acid room for etching zinc with copper sulphate and copper with ferric chloride. All tools and materials you may need for drawing and printing are at hand.

We sell basic supplies at the workshop (various types of quality paper, copper and zinc plates etc.) at retail cost.

The upstairs Gallery, our in-house gallery, is a small room entirely dedicated to exhibit the artists’ work.

Pigprints studio is designed and intended to provide a pleasant experience for those who come to stay here. To ensure this no more than 3 artists at a time will share the workshop.

Open Access Studio Fees (2023)

Printmakers of every skill level have now an affordable place to work in Milano. PigPrints’ open-access program is designed for artists or for anyone with prior etching experience and who can work independently. Technical support is not available during open-access sessions but the printshop staff is always on hand for advice and logistic assistance of any kind. For those who aren’t yet technically skilled, we first recommend one of our basic courses or a one-to-one training session.

Artists can book the studio for one day, one week or one month according to their wishes and needs.

Full day (8 hours 10am -6pm) – € 40

Week (Mon-Fri) – € 150

2 Weeks – € 250

3 Weeks – € 330

4 Weeks – € 400

5 days (40 hours) Studio Pass- € 200 
10 days (80 hours) Studio Pass– € 350
These “carnets”, which are tailored-made for those who want to come to the studio from time to time, have to be bought in advance. Artists can book for a full day (10 am -6 pm) as well as for half day (9 am – 1 pm or 2-6 pm).

Can be used within 6 months from purchase date.

Fees do not include paper, plates and inks (can be purchased from the workshop).

20% discount for students.

Week-end as well as evening (6-10 pm) working sessions can be arranged on request.

For more information or visit our FAQs page

 

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