Crown Point Press

With the MOMA closed for three years (!), I’ve been needing to get my downtown art fix elsewhere. That’s how I stumbled upon this wonderful spot.
The gallery space is lovely – exposed brick, wooden beams, high ceilings and lots of natural light – and the prints on display were impressive too. When I was there, it was a series of intaglio cityscapes and landscapes by Wayne Thiebaud, and etchings by a Swedish artist named Mamma Andersson.
To my happy surprise, one of the staff members offered to give me a free tour of the extensive studio space in back (where they make the prints and hold classes), patiently telling me about the artists and explaining the printing techniques they employ.
You can also buy a print if there’s an artist you love (we’re talking a few thousand dollars though), or something a little more modestly priced from the bookstore.
Apparently there’s a new Wayne Thiebaud show through March 6. You should definitely check it out.

came here last spring and got to watch two master printers as they worked. the gallery is really inspiring and the work room is well lit and very pretty. i’d love to come back again.

Special. Unique. Beautiful. These are words that come to mind when I think of Crown Point Press. A gallery, a bookstore, and studios are housed in an historic brick building that sits, like a quiet giant, just around the corner from SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Gardens on busy Third Street. When I visited I caught an eyeful of artwork from some of the most influential artists worldwide. John Cage. Richard Diebenkorn. Mary Heilmann. Sol LeWitt. Ed Ruscha. Richard Tuttle. Just a few standouts on their artist list of more than 100 notable names. I browsed the current show in the large gallery, and then asked for a peek in the two inventory bays. Literally a treasure trove. The staff is friendly and open, and I wasn’t afraid to ask questions. They really appreciate sharing the art of etching and have an educational approach – which is rare for a gallery. I spent some time in the cozy bookstore, and felt at home and inspired among influential artists and authors. It’s a nice collection of artist books, some of them rare catalogues from exhibitions or hard-​to-​find editions. I was attracted to the unique printmaking supplies, drypoint kit, handbound sketchbooks, and embroidered aprons to wear around the print shop. But the studio, of course, is where all the magic happens. I asked for a quick tour and was completely delighted. For an artist, the smell of mixing inks and laying grounds is like the smell of fresh baked bread: gorgeous. There was an antique-​looking press in the corner: it came from Scotland, on a freighter through the Panama Canal, and started the whole thing almost 50 years ago. I felt privileged and inspired to gain so much behind-​the-​scenes information on Crown Point’s remarkable history. I’d love to take one of their workshops next summer!

the show in the gallery wasn’t one that i was particularly moved by, but the space and presentation were both nice. the book area had more than i expected for books, but less than i’d hoped for prints and other creations from the press. i’m sure if i was to attend an event, crown point press would easily make my five star list.
i suppose i’m spoiled by saint louis’s firecracker press, where the owner and his minions are always slaving over letterpresses, with extra prints and other art things for sale in the front room. granted, there’s no room for a gallery, but i prefer the accessibility of the clothespin hung poster art and bonding with the artists over inky fingernails.
so back to crown point press… great space, great selection, and they even sell a kit for non-​printmakers to play their game — making a dry point plate and sending it in for crown point to produce. two prints, your design, $ 165. it’s a bit steep for those of us who have access to a press, but a great opportunity for any non-​printmaker.
also, bonus points for using crown point branded canvas totes to bag purchases.

Beautiful space. Great shows. Wonderful book selection.

the studio’s pretty amazing. i was here for an event another organization hosted in their space but was able to get a glance at a few paintings they left up on the walls. I would definitely come back another time for a more proper viewing.

I went to the Ed Ruscha opening here a couple of weeks ago and got absolutely sucked into the books in the front. SO many fantastic people writing about great art. The gallery space is clean and has a nice layout. I definitely need to spend more time here.

if you like art, you will certainly appreciate their holdings. if i were an artist, i would spend all my time here. if i could afford to purchase any type of property, this would be it. to know spaces like this exist, something’s right in the world :) (if you take a tour, be sure to look down at the floor, its cork!!)