The Chicago area’s most affordable cooperative print shop for over 40 years
Expressions Studio is a paper and print arts studio and gallery serving the Oak Park community and beyond. We offer an affordable education in both printmaking and paper arts through personalized teaching and a supportive community. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced artist, Expressions offers a creative outlet and the ability to explore diverse techniques, all within a welcoming setting.
Current Exhibition:
This exhibition features an Expressions Studio member and former Oak Park resident. Jim Holmes started anti-war silkscreens in 1968 and printed at Chicago Printmaker's Collaborative from 1973 to 1978. He retired to Ecuador where he brought a small press in a suitcase. He discovered Gelli plates and taught art and printmaking to deaf and hard of hearing teens and young adults.
He describes his works in the current exhibition at Expressions Studio as "based on a rock formation called the gossips in Arches National Park. I was fascinated by the shapes and colors of the rocks and came back knowing that the way I'd been printing with crinkled and torn boxes would portray the texture well."
Upcoming Class
Collagraphic Printing with Jessica Kronika
October 10 & 24 2026 (1:00 – 4:00 pm)
Instructor: Jessica Kronika
$150 per person for 2 sessions
Supplies: most included, choice of select student papers or others to purchase on first class day.
Inspired by the current show of Jim Holmes prints?
Try your hand at collagraphic printing with instructor Jessica Kronika. Design and build your own unique collagraphic printing plate and run a small edition of single color or monotype prints.
Day one covers preparation and attaching various materials to your base and sealing the plate for successful printing. We will select paper for the next class, all requests must be placed for delivery.
Various materials for areas of solid and textured surfaces will be available to build your plate. You are welcome to bring small objects 1/8 inch thick or less to use.
Day two will involve preparing paper and ink, applying your color choices to the plate and printing on the press. Registration and supply requests must be complete two weeks prior to class start date.
Contact the instructor about available kits, must reserve asap.