FugScreens Studios

I had signed up for a class. First it took them to weeks to tell me that they could accept me in the class. Then, they cancelled the class 2 hours before the class. I had friends already heading down to the city from the suburbs. Extremely disappointed. They stated in the cancellation email, that «it would be an inefficient use of your time and money» since 6 people had not confirmed. It is not an inefficient use of my time or money. I understand that it may be for their business, but lets get the facts straight. If they provide the class that they had advertised it would not be an inefficient use of my time and or money. Instead, my time was wasting by getting a cancellation at the last minute. I was lucky I had a chance to even check my email before the class. Furthermore, when I called to confirm that I had received the email and to complain about the short notice. The individual whom answered stated that he didn’t care. When, I stated how disappointed I was especially because I had friends traveling from far away. He responded by saying to complain to Groupon if I wanted. Overall, my experience with FugScreen Studios was very unprofessional on their end. I will be complaining to Groupon and asking for a refund.

Zissou is a awesome tutor/​artist and screenprinter. Has great stuff in his studio!!!

I totally agree with Mei D. Was disppointed with our groupon class. Even if the design for the print was selected before hand, why couldn’t a more universally appealing design be chosen?

I am so disappointed with my experience at this studio. A bad value for the money – I feel that the artist/​instructor was just going through the motions of teaching the class.
I just attended a 3-​hour introductory lesson at this studio purchased at $ 60 through Groupon. The description from Groupon indicates that «artist Zissou Tassef-​Elenkoff will lead classes through a variety of subjects depending on each student’s interests and may cover the history of printing, offering press apprentices examples of various methods, as well as incorporating Photoshop and Illustrator into designs. Each class culminates with the birth of two 13“x18″ prints of separate design, crafted from provided materials…» Based on this description, I was anticipating creating and printing my own designs. However, the results of this class were two prints of the SAME design (that was chosen by the instructor with no student input). As an added bonus, since all of us students cooperated on the printing, it is likely that I did not even have a hand in making the prints I took home.
Based on my experience, I would characterize this more as a hands-​on DEMONSTRATION as opposed to a lesson. Since we were all working using the same screens/​design, there was a lot of down time. In three hours, my personal hands-​on experience consisted of washing off a screen, adding one layer of emulsion to a screen, and printing maybe 10 layers of color using 3 different screens. Other students got the added experience of applying tape to one of the screens. The rest of my time was spent watching other students take their turns or the artist/​instructor or assistant set things up.
The artist/​instructor and his assistant seemed pretty disinterested in the class, and they even briefly discussed business matters in front of us. This may not have bothered other students, but it seemed unprofessional to me. Toward the end of the class, the artist/​instructor suggested purchasing individual lessons if we wanted to work with our own designs or a special project. When one student asked to take home one of the test prints, the artist/​instructor denied this request on the grounds that he sells them (to other artists?). This seemed rude to me, as we had a hand in making them. It would have been courteous for him to have given her one of the test prints. Instead, he suggested he purchase a print for $ 4 from his mystery box of botched prints. Myself, I would have preferred to take home one of the test prints as opposed to the prints we made, as they were more interesting. The prints I did take home were two copies of the same anatomical skull. The colors of the muscle seem off to me (like salmon). Anyway, when the prints got creased/​damaged on my way home, I was not upset in the least. I just added them to my scrap paper for future projects.
Although I am still interested in learning more about screen printing, I will not pursue future lessons at this studio. The purchase of this class was a mistake.

I work as an Art Director, and when work slowed down last year, my creative voice had a raging case of cabin fever. After searching around on-​line, I stumbled across a blurb about Fugscreens Studios and gave Zissou a call. Although I’m also a former Art Institute student, I had never taken a silkscreening class, but always wanted to. I knew NOTHING about it but Zissou’s excellent at walking a beginner through the paces (without making you feel like an idiot). The studio’s great, he’s freakishly organized (rare for us arty folks), low-​key (read: patient), über knowledgeable, and makes my weekly class something to look forward to. Plus I wind up with cool art to share with friends!

Fugscreens gets A+‘s in several areas. Convenient parking? Check. Clean, non-​scary bathrooms? Check. Spacious area, immaculate studio and awesome teacher? ALL present.
Whether you are a beginner and don’t even know what to do with a squeegee, or need some space to figure out your creative masterpiece, Zissou is there to help you out. He is knowledgeable in every type of serigraphy process and is very patient with explanations.
The print shop is organized, fully stocked and roomy. You never feel like you are bumping elbows, or waiting in line. Zissou will listen to your ideas, give constructive feedback and help you to improve your craft.
The level of professionalism coming out of a one man shop is amazing.

I’ve been printing at FugScreens for a few months now and I’ve really enjoyed my time there. The atmosphere is humming with progress whenever I come by. Students and residents are always there working, discovering more about themselves as artists and about the craft of screenprinting overall.
Zissou is a great tutor and friend to those sharing the space. He invites everyone to make the images they want, to reject self-​censorship and seek that which makes you happy.
The studio is efficiently organized and the materials well-​kept and the location is convenient for all modes of transportation (bus, train, car, bike, foot). I recommend everyone call or email and set up a tour of the facilities and meet the man yourself. You can see for yourself the best in Chicago.

Z’s great. You will not get such dedicated 1:1 instruction anywhere else. In addition, the studio space is very professional and complete. You’ll be in good hands with FugScreens; it teaches you the basics of screen printing in a very classical, traditional fashion which is important because it will ground you in good techniques. You won’t have to worry about having to break bad habits because Zissou will make damn sure you won’t have any. That said, Zissou is very flexible, experimental and innovative and will help you create whatever you want-​no matter how complicated or ambitious. Lastly, as you become more advanced, you can rent out studio space and hit up Fug’s for stretching and cleaning services.

I have been taking lessons in Zissou’s studio for around six months now (after reading an article about the service in Daily Candy), and I am completely addicted! Working as a cubicle monkey 7:30 — 4:30, five days a week doesn’t exactly get my creative juices flowing, so I find it both relaxing and stimulating to work on projects with Zissou a few times a month.
Kudos, Zissou, on a job well done. FugScreens gets my endorsement for sure!

FugScreens is what I would consider a true Chicago gem.
Truly adhering the spirit of entrepreneurship, FugScreens is an upstart by local Chicago artist, Zissou Tasseff-​Elenkoff. Specializing in screen printing, FugScreens is probably one the best places in the city to get art lessons. Zissou’s a highly acclaimed artist, without all of the «highly acclaimed» attitude. He’ll definitely be your instructor, and show you the ins and outs of screen printing in ways you never thought imaginable. He also had is own dedicated Daily Candy, which you can check out here:
The studio is fully equipped, and I believe you can work out a deal with the owner for him to supply materials. Lessons are very reasonably priced, too, and the studio is easy to get to and times are fairly easy to book.
So check out FugScreens, it’s one my favs.