Nr.54 Studio Schreefloos | Craft(wo)manship & Co-printing | 26 Feb 19:30

The three women Marleen Castelein, Esther van ’t Klooster and Marieke de Wit are running the letterpress workshop Studio Schreefloos at Singel 214. Before the lecture, from 16:00-18:00, they will open up their small but fully equipped workspace for everyone that would like to get hands on the press or just take a look. This workshop was originally founded by Thomas Gravemaker, who taught them the craft and still drops by, whenever his expertise is needed.

—Marleen Castelein (1971) trained as a dancer before studying Dutch Literature at the University of Amsterdam. She now works as a freelance editor. As a printer, she has a passion for typesetting and poetry.
Esther van ’t Klooster (1973) was fascinated by letters as a child and dreamed of becoming a type designer—but life took her on a different path. She studied Science & Technology Studies at Maastricht University and later pursued courses in drawing and graphic design alongside her career. In 2016, she discovered letterpress and was instantly hooked.
Marieke de Wit (1991) first encountered the deep, rich scent of black ink while etching at the Breitner Academy in Amsterdam. She quickly immersed herself in printmaking techniques and later became an art teacher specializing in printing. Letterpress soon became her favorite medium. As a graphic designer, she avoids the computer whenever possible, always returning to the tactile beauty of wood type in the workshop.
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Thomas Gravemaker has been a printer since 1970, dedicating his life to the craft. In 2021, after imparting his extensive knowledge to Marieke, Esther, and Marleen, he entrusted them with his letterpress workshop at Singel 214 in Amsterdam. He left them with a fully equipped studio and a simple message: "Be free and create!”
In this lecture, the trio will discuss how they discovered their unique maker’s mark in hand printing and their pursuit of ‘magnetic power’ through collaboration. They will explore their journey in blending form and color, connecting traditional techniques with contemporary practices.
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Hosted at:
De Lange Adem
Ruyschstraat 295,
1091 DX Amsterdam
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Supported by:

Bold Monday & PICTORIGHT Fonds

Host or Publisher letterspace.amsterdam