It’s obvious that Americans are facing some tough times today. Workers are struggling to make ends meet, looking for outlets anywhere possible where they can escape and express their creativity.
Along the lines of this issue, Levi Strauss in San Francisco has come up with an interesting concept to support the working people in the community. You may be thinking in what way can a community find solidarity at a low cost? Levi’s found that setting up a print shop where locals can participate in classes in letterpress, screen printing, and hand type-setting, as well as work on their own creative products, is an optimal way to do so.
This temporary installation just goes to show that print is not only still relevant, but a desired way to bring a community together. Although the printers used in the workshop are very different models from InfoPrint’s lineup, the idea that the universal appeal of print can bring people together reverts back to the idea that print is indeed still a popular method of communication and expression in many ways.
The workshop is intended to expand creativity in the community as well as support the move to positive social change. The concept of “We Are All Workers” is strongly underlined as the theme of this unique opportunity for residents of the city.
The shop is also an opportunity for many who haven’t had the opportunity to experiment with printing mediums such as screen printers and a letterpress. Community members can not only express their creativity, but also learn about the different printers and what they can produce. It serves as an educational opportunity for individuals to dabble in something that may not always be available to them.
Levi’s is hoping to expand these workshops across the country, utilizing different creative outlets to expand the potentials of this idea. After all, we all deserve a break sometimes, and an opportunity to be involved in something different and unique to our day-to-day lives.
Would you be interested in taking a class at this print shop? What types of printers would you want to experiment with if you had the chance?
Best,
Beth Etherton
Global Communications Manager
