Holyoke, MA. Print Shop Inc. (PSI) has been awarded several grants by several Local Cultural Councils for its 2021 programing. Funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program enriches the cultural life of all cities and towns in the commonwealth, and is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation. Led by municipally appointed volunteers, LCC’s award over $4 million every year, supporting more than 6,000 cultural programs that include everything from field trips to lectures, festivals, and dance performances. For 2021 PSI received awards from South Hadley, Chicopee and Holyoke totaling $6700.
Online Art Classes
Online classes that started as a gap-filling measure during the pandemic shutdown, have been expanded by local cultural funding into arts programing for seniors that PSI can offer to Councils-on-Aging and Care Facilities across Western Mass. The town of South Hadley awarded PSI $500, along with the cities of Holyoke for $1500 and Chicopee for $2000 to run the online workshop series “Art at Home'' for their Senior Citizens. During the pandemic shutdown, Clarissa Leverich and Anne Thalheimer piloted a series of Zoom art classes in collaboration with the Easthampton’s Council on Aging. The catalog of courses they have developed includes bookbinding, jewelry making, bell totas, paper flowers, and Japanese sumi-e ink painting. The success of these programs in Easthampton led PSI to apply for grants in surrounding cities. These LCC grants will subsidize the price of take-home activity kits and help pay faculty and the administration costs of the program. Already some of the program directors Clarissa is coordinating with have expressed interest in-person learning as the world reopens.
Student Designers
The City of Holyoke awarded PSI $1200 to continue running the Holyoke Student Designer Program that started in 2020 in part to LCC funding. The Holyoke Student Designers (HSD) program provides innovative educational and workforce development opportunities for Holyoke students ages 16-22. Students who are accepted receive an annual maker membership to the Print Shop and a $125 materials budget to complete projects. Students are introduced to potential creative career paths in design, technology, and digital arts. Over the course of the program, students learn skills that can be applied to future employment.
The application is open now on a rolling deadline as funding allows, and is first come first serve. Space is limited. If you know anyone who may be eligible and interested have them apply here: https://forms.gle/AUTnPf8AQr5uEBdu5
The Great Holyoke Brick Race
Woo Hoo!!! The 2021 Great Holyoke Brick Race has been scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd from 11am-2pm! Organizers would like to thank the Holyoke Local Cultural Council for this year's grant of $1500 and for all the support they and City Departments have shown over the years. This will be the 10th annual Brick Race after taking last year off for the pandemic and another in 2015 when Race Street was being remade into beautiful the Canalwalk it is today. If you have not experienced the Brick Race you are in for a treat. Artists, engineers, makers, families and kids of all ages create racers from a standard brick. Brick trophies are awarded for feats like fastest brick, best crash and most creative. The Print Shop supports the race as its fiscal agent, helps plan, organize and market the event - as far as we know there is nothing like it in the world.
To learn more about the Brick Race visit thegreatholyokebrickrace.com
About PSI
Located in downtown Holyoke the Print Shop is a member-based makerspace that offers access to shared production space, tools, computers, design software, and commercial printers. Printing services and courses are also available to the general public. The shop is a hub of business development, vocational training, and community programming. For more information about the Print Shop visit printshopholyoke.org
Print Shop Inc. incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization and has proudly partnered with the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MiFA/Victory Theatre) who acts as our fiscal sponsor. All donations are tax-deductible. To learn more about MIFA visit
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