Last weekend we had the launch for our new People's Photocopier. It is super fancy! Also, there was cake.
Click here to see more photos from the event.
tomorrowboy's blog
People's Photocopier Party Photos!
We're Seeking Support in Finding a New Space!
As you may already know, the Roberts Street Social Centre is moving. Right now we are on the lookout for a new space. We know that many spaces are found through word-of-mouth, so we asking the public for help in this search. If you know of a space for rent that fits our criteria, please let us know by email at info@robertsstreet.org, or call us at (902) 446-1788.
Ideally, what we are looking for in a new space:
- be available for us to move in on or before May 1
- be publicly accessible, preferably during our open hours (Tues evenings, Sun afternoons)
- have 24-hour access for our members/keyholders (appx 20 people)
- minimum of 800 sq ft
- cost less that $1000/month
- be able to sign a 1-year lease (preferably with option to renew)
- have a bathroom
- have a separate space with running water and a sink (or a second bathroom) for Ink Storm Screen Printing Studio
- preferably located in the north end of Halifax
Above is our "wish-list" but we are somewhat flexible and open to other ideas and suggestions, including partnering with other organizations and projects.
Please get in touch if you can help us out!
The Roberts Street Social Centre is a collection of projects dedicated to providing free or affordable access to independent and alternative media, art, and education. Projects that are part of RSSC include the Anchor Archive Zine Library, the Ink Storm Screen Printing Studio, the People's Photocopier, the Crow's Nest meeting space, and an artist and zine-making residency program.
Social Centre Calling on Community for Ideas, Money
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
February 6, 2012
Social Centre Calling on Community for Ideas, Money
HALIFAX – Roberts Street Social Centre, a community and art space in North End Halifax, is appealing to the community for support after notice that their lease at 5684 Roberts Street will end as of May 1, 2012. The centre is asking individuals and organizations for suggestions for a new location and for financial support including donations or support securing loan or grant funding.
"Community members have been supportive in the past, and we hope that new and exciting ideas will come from our appeal,” says Jill Ratcliffe, a member of the Roberts Street Social Centre collective. “But we are definitely concerned about finding somewhere affordable with rising rents and taxes in the North End.”
Six years ago, the Roberts Street Social Centre was a private residence that held the Anchor Archive Zine Library. Since then, programming has expanded to include a screen printing studio, a residency program, a community space for workshops, movie screenings and meetings, and a resource for low-cost photocopies. The centre operates on a budget of about $34,000 per year.
Programming will continue as usual for the time being, and the centre is exploring its options to ensure that programs will continue beyond the May eviction date.
“Roberts Street has built ties in our community through welcoming people with free and low-cost art- and media-based programming,” adds Ratcliffe.“We do not want to see the north end become a place only for high-end development.”
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Kaley Kennedy, 293-9683, info@robertsstreet.org
The Roberts Street Social Centre is a collection of projects dedicated to providing free or affordable access to independent and alternative media, art, and education. Projects that are part of RSSC include the Anchor Archive Zine Library, the Ink Storm Screen Printing Studio, the People's Photocopier, the Crow's Nest meeting space, and an artist and zine-making residency program.
People's Photocopier Launch Party!
Our shiny new photocopier has finally arrived! It’s really fast! It prints things in colour! Amazing! Come and check it out at the launch party at Roberts Street on Sunday, February 12th, from 2-5pm. There will be cake, games, training, and more!
The People's Photocopier is run by a not-for-profit collective that is dedicated to keeping the cost of copies low and providing an alternative to corporate copy shops. Corporate media and publishing continue to concentrate and streamline the power of communication. As amateurs, non-professionals, artists, writers and activists of all kinds, we need to collectively fight for the ability to self-publish our zines and posters, to promote our events, to spread our word. Located at the Anchor Archive, the copier is open for anyone to use for any project. It's accessible during Anchor Archive open hours: Tuesday 6-8 pm and Sunday 2-5 pm.
Dinner and a Movie: Bliss
Geoff will be showing Bliss.
It's the well told story of one man's encounter with hell, and his subsequent determination to stay out of it. It weaves in and out of surrealism. It's funny, moving, and romantic. It ends with a love letter that takes seven years to meet its target!
I saw it when it came out in 1985 and I loved it. And I still do! Come and watch one of my favourite movies with me.
Dinner will be: Honey Balsamic chicken (or tofu) on a skewer, Basmati rice, Honey Dill Carrots, Buttered Brussels Sprouts, and homemade Honey Mead!
Plus movie snacks: Honey Almond Biscotti, Honey Popcorn, and Herbal tea with honey.
Space is limited, email dinner-and-a-movie@robertsstreet.org to reserve a spot!
Hauling Anchor: A Statement from the Roberts Street Social Centre
After seven years of activity, the Roberts Street Social Centre is entering a time of change. Just before New Year's we received notice that our lease at 5684 Roberts Street will end as of May 1, 2012. Members of the Roberts Street Collective met on January 9, 2012 to begin discussing how to deal with this news.
In the next four months we will be looking at options for a new space and figuring out how the social centre can continue its programs in the future. We will continue to be in touch as we make decisions and determine our course. In the coming months we will be looking for suggestions, support, and ideas from the community. We will need you more than ever.
Change is difficult, but we hope that through this process we will learn, become stronger, and make Roberts Street (or whatever we are to become) even better. If you are interested in helping, watch our weekly email newsletter, website or Facebook page in the coming weeks for ways in which you can help support us, and public meetings where you can give your input.
Stay tuned.
- RSSC
The Roberts Street Social Centre is a collection of projects dedicated to providing free or affordable access to independent and alternative media, art, and education. Projects that are part of RSSC include the Anchor Archive Zine Library, the Ink Storm Screen Printing Studio, the People's Photocopier, the Crow's Nest meeting space, and an artist and zine-making residency program.
January Ink Storm Screenprinting Workshops
Please email inkstorm@robertsstreet.org to register for either of the following classes.
Intro to Screenprinting, Thursday, January 12th, 7-9pm, or Saturday, January 21st, 2-4pm
Two hours of instruction will take you through all the steps in a photoemulsion screenprinting project: coating the screen, image preparation tips, burning the screen, printing, and washing out the screen, as well as info about screens and inks. It's a packed two hours. We ask that anyone without previous experience first complete this class before using the studio. The class costs $25-40 sliding scale depending on what you are able to afford. Limit 5 per class.
3-Part Project Class, Mondays, January 9, 16, & 23, 7-9pm
In this workshop you will get step-by-step hands on instruction in screenprinting in order to complete your own project. You get your own screen to work with and we will cover coating the screen with emulsion, image design with and without computers, exposing and burning techniques, mixing your own inks, one and two colour printing on your choice of paper or fabric, and stripping the screen. This class is geared towards both beginners without previous experience as well as people who have some basic knowledge about screenprinting. The cost is $75 for all three classes and all screens, emulsion, and inks are included. The only thing you need to bring is fabric of paper for printing in the final class. Limit 4 per class.
Ink Storm Holiday Events
1) Ink Storm and Anchor Archive at the Crafters’ Fair, Saturday & Sunday, December 3-4th, 11am-6pm
Come check out our table at the Halifax Crafters’ Fair! We'll have screen printed posters, cards, t-shirts, and patches for sale and lots of zines!
Happening at the Olympic Centre, 2304 Hunter Street. Free Admission!
2) Laing House Craft Fair, Saturday, December 3rd, 2-5pm, 1225 Barrington Street
Ink Storm has been doing special workshops with youth, including Laing House (www.lainghouse.org), a peer support organization for youth with mental illness where members can embrace their unique gifts and find their way in a caring and supportive environment.
The Laing House Annual Tree Trimming & Craft Fair (1225 Barrington Street) features house members and community partners selling their own craft goods – some of which were made at the Roberts Street Social Centre!
3) Ink Storm Holiday Card Making Workshop, Saturday, December 10th, 12:30-4:30pm
In this workshop you will learn to screen print your own design or image onto cards! You'll learn the steps of adapting an image for screen-printing, exposing a screen, mixing inks and printing multiple copies of an image. We'll also go over all the basics, so you'll receive the same info (and more!) as you would at one of our intro workshops. The best part is that you'll be able to dive right in and produce your own finished product by the end of the workshop!
All materials, including inks and cards (15 per person) will be provided, but if you'd like to print on something special, please bring it with you! The cost of the workshop is $40-$60 (sliding scale, depending on what you are able to afford).
There is limited space for this workshop. Please email inkstorm@robertsstreet.org to register.
Rock Paper Scissors Tournament/Party
The finale of the The Robets Street Casual Gaming Federation season! There will be prizes, awards, snacks, a showing of some short gaming related films, and probably some other games being played. Feel free to show up any time after 7pm. $2 entry fee. Invite your friends! Facebook event page.
More Ink Storm Screenprinting Classes!
Intro to Screenprinting
Thursday, November 10th from 6:30pm-8:30pm
OR
Saturday, November 12th from 2-4pm
OR
Saturday, November 12th from 2-4pm
Intro to Screenprinting ($25-$40 sliding scale): Two hours of instruction will take you through all the steps in a photoemulsion screenprinting project; coating the screen, image preparation tips, burning the screen, printing, and washing out the screen, as well as info about screens and inks. It's a packed two hours. We ask that anyone without previous experience first complete this class before using the studio. The class costs $25-40 sliding scale depending on what you are able to afford. Limit 5 per class.
Three Part Project Class
Mondays November 14, 21 & 28 from 6-8pm
Three Part Project Class ( $75 for all three classes): In this workshop you will get step-by-step hands on instruction in
screenprinting in order to complete your own project. You get your own screen to work with and we will cover coating the screen with emulsion, image design with and without computers, exposing and burning techniques, mixing your own inks, one and two colour printing on your choice of paper or fabric, and stripping the screen. This class is geared towards both beginners without previous experience as well as people who have some basic knowledge about screenprinting. The cost is $75 for all three classes and all screens, emulsion, and inks are included. The only thing you need to bring is fabric of paper for printing in the final class. Limit 4 per class.
Please register by emailing inkstorm@robertsstreet.org
Dinner and a Movie: Shock Treatment!
Dinner and a Movie is a social way to share tasty food and watch great films. On Sunday evenings you can eat a home cooked meal prepared by volunteer chefs, and then watch a movie that they’ve chosen to complement the food (or maybe the other way around).
Dinner is at 6pm, and the movie starts at 7. The cost is $10/person, and reservations are required! Email dinner-and-a-movie@robertsstreet.org to reserve your spot. (We only have room for 12 people at dinner, so make your reservation early!)
November 6th: Shock Treatment
Menu: Vegetarian Enchiladas and Hot Chili Brownies
Where: The Roberts Street Social Centre, 5684 Roberts St
Shock Treatment is the lesser known sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show!
In the continuing adventure of Brad and Janet Majors, their suburban hometown has been transformed into a giant TV studio, where the brainwashed citizens remain happily glued to an endless series of TV shows. Before you can say, ‘We’ll be right back after this,’ the station’s unscrupulous sponsor has locked Brad up in a mental hospital and recruited Janet to be the sexy star of her own hit show.
Printing Skillshare Tonight! (Sunday, October 23rd)
Please join our Resident Caroline Paquita at Roberts Street for a potluck and fire (weather permitting) this evening at 7pm.
All printing geeks (meaning anyone who loves printed matter) are encouraged to attend, in order to have an informal, larger discussion about the mediums and techniques that are used to get work out into the larger world.
Think of it as a very relaxed skillshare and a nice way to spend your Sunday night, after a long weekend of music and zines.
The Halifax Pop Explosion Zine Fair!
Saturday, September 22nd, noon-5pm
St. David's Hall, 1537 Brunswick Street
Screen Printing Workshops at Ink Storm!
Three Part Screenprinting Project Class, Mondays, October 17, 24, & 31, 6-8pm
In this workshop you will get step-by-step hands on instruction in screenprinting in order to complete your own project. You get your own screen to work with and we will cover coating the screen with emulsion, image design with and without computers, exposing and burning techniques, mixing your own inks, one and two colour printing on your choice of paper or fabric, and stripping the screen. This class is geared towards both beginners without previous experience as well as people who have some basic knowledge about screenprinting. The cost is $75 for all three classes and all screens, emulsion, and inks are included. The only thing you need to bring is fabric or paper for printing in the final class. Limit 4 per class. Please email inkstorm@robertsstreet.org to register.
Intro to Screenprinting, Wednesday, October 26th, 7-9pm, and Saturday, October 29th, 2-4pm
Two hours of instruction will take you through all the steps in a photo-emulsion screenprinting project; coating the screen, image preparation tips, burning the screen, printing, and washing out the screen, as well as info about screens and inks. It's a packed two hours. We ask that anyone without previous experience first complete this class before using the studio. The class costs $25-40 sliding scale depending on what you are able to afford. Limit 5 per class. Please email inkstorm@robertsstreet.org to register.
Blog type:
News Blog
Lo-Tech Sound Events with our Artist in Resident Anne-Francoise Jacques
The Sound Garden, Friday, October 7th, 5-7pm & Saturday, October 8th, 2-5pm
Anne-Francoise Jacques, our current artist-in-residence, presents a lo-tech sound installation in the Robert Street Social Centre garden, based on recordings made around the centre with homemade microphones, cassette recorders, and homemade cassette loops!
Cassette Loop Fun! Friday, October 7th, 7pm
A talk about the Sound Garden and demonstration of the creative potential of homemade microphones and messy tape manipulation by our resident Anne-Francoise Jacques.
Anne-Francoise Jacques (Montreal, QC) will use homemade microphones, cassette recorders and homemade cassette loops to record sound samples around Roberts Street and create an ephemeral sound installation in the garden. Anne-Francois is co-founder of the sound art collective les-son 666 and makes sound pieces for radio and experimental animations.
Upcoming events!
Our current residents are Marlaina Buch & Ross Macauly (Victoria, BC), and they've got some awesome events coming up soon!
Mariana will develop her performance music project Hunter Rapper which humourously and critically explores food politics and systems, while Ross will produce a zine of recipes from memory with hand drawn lettering. Both of them will look specifically at lobster and fisheries, celebrating and examining local food knowledge.
Backyard Bro Down and Wiener Roast, Sunday, September 18th, 5pm(ish)
Marlaina and Russ are holding this rad event to meet local peole and talk about food! Ross is collecting recipes from memory for his project and wants your secrets.
Bring something to cook on a stick - smokies, brats, tofu, bannock, photos of ex lovers...
Boiled Alive! Show & Tell/Culinary Throw Down, Friday, September 23rd, 7:30pm
Marlaina and Ross will present and discuss all the stuff they've worked on. A possible challenge or performance of some form is speculated. Mysterious.
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Plus we currently have an Ink Storm resident too!
Print First, Ask Questions Later Ink Storm Workshop, Monday, September 26th, 7pm
Join Montreal-based multi-media artist Edwin Janzen for a workshop on fabric printing undertaken from a freewheeling, experimental standpoint. We will learn to cast aside doubts and reservations as we leverage our latent, internal intelligences, take risks, defy failure and, with purpose and ruthlessness, alter all manner of fabrics using block and screen printing (and possibly other) techniques.
Some fabrics, inks and equipment will be available for general use, but participants should expect to bring along a few items for the workshop, too. Further details upon registration.
Space is limited, so rsvp asap to epjanzen@gmail.com!
24 Hour Zine Challenge
Our 24 hour zine challenge was held a couple of weeks ago, and we have all sixteen (16!) of the zines made during that time on display in the Anchor Archive. Come by and check them out!
Check out our awesome Summer Newsletter!
One of the projects our summer students worked on was our summer newsletter. Assembled entirely by hand, and printed on huge 11 x 17 pieces of paper, it is the result of a lot of work!
If you're in Halifax you might have seen copies around, but if not we've scanned it in for you to read online! Now you can find out about some of our summer projects, and who our last few residents of the year will be.
Our initial attempts to upload a PDF were less than fruitful, so you'll have to deal with raw images files. Click on the thumbnails below to be linked to a (hopefully) readable version of each page.
Blog type:
News Blog
Ana Armengod zine release! Wednesday, September 7th, 7pm
Ana is our current resident and she has just finished a zine about her experiences in Mexican punk and radical communities!
Get a copy of the zine fresh off the photocopier, eat vegan Mexican food, and watch two Mexican documentaries about punks (one about an urban permaculture project).
Ana is from Mexico, organized Ladyfest Mexico for several years, and is an artist who contributes to zines and magazines.
Welcome to our new resident Ana Armengod (Mexico)
Ana is going to work on a graphic and written zine about experiences in Mexican punk and radical communities. She organized Ladyfest Mexico for several years, and is an artist who contributes to zines and magazines.
She's also cleaning up and organizing our kitchen, for which she gets our eternal gratitude.
