"There's that collaborative effort," Dykes said. "The beginners are working with the experienced printers, they're mixing it up. It takes the fear out of it for the beginners." This working together helps the beginners understand the various processes for intaglio and relief printing.

Earlier in the year, Dykes' sister-in-law decided she wanted to take a printing class and was introduced to etching. "We got her drawing on the matrix, working with aquatint and a couple of soft-ground methods." After much labor, the sister-in-law gained a whole new appreciation for what a print is. "And that's part of what we like to do here," said Dykes.

"Education and appreciation," added Brunvand. "The excitement of the accident, that joy of seeing the mirror image when a print is pulled from the press. It's like Christmas morning."

While the studio is not huge, it is large enough to handle six artists working at the same time, but not on the same stage of a print. Saltgrass is equipped with two etching presses, a Vander Cook proofing press, roller, brayers and more. "With two presses we're doing OK," Dykes said. "If we need to block out time for individual printers we can do that."

"But there's more than enough room and time here for everybody to work," said Brunvand. "You know, you could be etching while someone else is printing."

And because Saltgrass is devoted to a communal-studio approach, "if someone rents from us for a month," Brunvand said, "they get a key to the studio." "It's their studio space," added Dykes.

"So instead of renting an empty space to paint in for $200," said Brunvand, "for $150 a month they get a key and can come in any time, day or night, and use the equipment."

Saltgrass exists because Brunvand and Dykes are passionate about making it work. Talented printmakers in their own right, they want others — many others, from beginners to professionals — to come and see, to collaborate, to employ and enjoy the studio they've spawned.

It's their child, and they're very proud of how well it's growing and its potential for the future.

For more information on upcoming workshops and classes call Saltgrass Printmakers at 467-1080.

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E-mail: gag@desnews.com