Groundworks Art Lab

Ephemera: any transitory written or printed matter not meant to be retained or preserved.

Each year the Book Arts League hosts a print Ephemera playdate. Letterpress printed pieces are encouraged, but the BAL will accept any entry! In the past we have had potato prints, laser printed quotes, creative cuttings from old phone books, poems picked out on pages of old books, a set of 30 individual collages, folded maps, even laser printed illustrations. Anything you can print, you can send!!

To play, participants make an edition of 30 pieces, send them into the BAL by January 31 (or as soon thereafter as you can!) Once the Book Arts League receives all entries for the year, the sets will be collated. A BAL volunteer will then design a wrapper or package to contain the collection and you will be mailed back a complete set! Inside your package you will receive one piece from every person who participated and one of your own pieces. Also included will be a list of the names of all the artists who participated. 

Would you like to participate in our annual event but don't know where to begin? Don't have a press? Come join Brenda Gallagher in the Book Arts League letterpress studio to print your submission for this year's exchange! Bring your paper of choice. You'll need at least 30 pieces that can be cut (or folded) down to 5"x7" pieces. You can set a few words using the BAL type collection and pair it with a picture block from the BAL's collection. Bring your ideas and get ready for the 2026 Ephemera Exchange!

If you are a BAL member please reach out to registration@groundworksartlab.org for a $10 off discount. 

Ages: 16+

Prints can be dropped off at Groundworks East (3063 E. Sterling Cir)

Class will be available for registration December 8th at 8:00am.