Through the Ink Lounge Gallery’s sun-drenched windows, passers-by can get a peek of artists Nicky and Stu Alden working on a new screen-printed poster or hanging guest artists’ work.
The couple has a lot going on. When they’re not doing their “day job” as graphic designers in their open-floor office next door, they’re meeting new printmakers, organizing new shows and setting up workshops where adults and children can learn the ins and outs of screen- printing. The gallery is at 445 S. Saulsbury St. in Lakewood.
“We want people to go off and screen- print on their own,” said Nicky Alden. “We’re happy to share our knowledge because we’ve learned it from other artists.”
When the Aldens opened their gallery in 2007, the two knew they’d focus specifically on printmaking.
“Printmaking is good for both commercial and fine art. It lends itself well to graphic design,” said Stu Alden.
Printmaking was also a way for the artists to get away from their computers, where they were doing the majority of their graphic design work for nonprofits and local businesses.
“We just wanted to get back to working with our hands,” said Nicky Alden, still wearing her color-stained apron from a recent printmaking project.
The couple also took a hands-on approach when setting up the gallery. They built the movable walls where art is displayed and even built their own light box, where they develop the screen “stencils” they use to make posters.
The gallery also serves as a way to showcase artists from the printmaking community throughout Colorado and the U.S. Most of the artists they have featured were word-of-mouth recommendations from other printmaking artists, Stu Alden said.
The gallery’s most recent exhibit, “Made in the Midwest,” features work from Jay Ryan and Diana Sudyka, two poster artists from Chicago. Both artists’ work includes images of birds and forest animals as well as concert posters for bands such as The Decemberists and Andrew Bird.
The Aldens were familiar with the artists’ work but had never met them in person until Ryan and Sudyka flew to Colorado for the show’s opening.
The Aldens “were extremely patient with us, as working with a couple of artists in getting a show together is kind of like herding cats,” Sudyka said. “They are passionate about what they do, and their vision for the gallery, and that’s something that I really admire.”
The Aldens want to expand their vision beyond the gallery as well. The couple works with Think 360 Arts, which provides arts education programs throughout Colorado. The couple visits schools to teach children screen-printing techniques.
“We want to do more of these workshops for kids. We like to ask kids about what’s important to them and have them express themselves,” Stu Alden said.
The gallery also hosts monthly fabric and paper printing classes for children and adults. Once students pay the class fee, they’re able to come back to use the gallery’s studio indefinitely.
“We just want to be a resource for people,” Stu Alden said.
At the gallery
See the “Made in the Midwest” printmaking exhibit through Sept. 12. The exhibit features work by Chicago artists Jay Ryan and Diana Sudyka.
Learn the process of making screen-printed art during the gallery’s monthly workshops. A beginner’s class will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11. For more information on the gallery, or to sign up for a workshop, visit http://inkloungegallery.com.