Ever wondered what magic happens behind those Hawthorne Street doors? Welcome to Crown Point Press a San Francisco institution.
Crown Point Press isn’t just a print shop. It’s a legendary place a crucible where art history is made. Since 1962 it has been a haven for artists. It began as a humble workshop evolving into a powerhouse of printmaking. Richard Diebenkorn and Wayne Thiebaud were among its early stars.
Imagine Kathan Brown the founder working in her Berkeley basement. Then a move to Oakland a collaboration with Parasol Press. Crown Point Press became a nexus of Minimalist art. Sol LeWitt and Brice Marden lent their genius.
The 1970s saw a shift. Conceptual artists took center stage. Vito Acconci Chris Burden and John Cage joined the ranks. Crown Point Press became a haven for diverse artistic voices. Their influence extended internationally.
Susan Tallman a renowned art historian called Crown Point Press the most instrumental American printshop in etching’s revival. Karen McCready’s salesmanship deserves mention. She opened a SoHo gallery. She championed Asian woodcut techniques expanding the press’s horizons.
The 1980s were a time of expansion. Artists traveled to Kyoto and China to collaborate with master printers. Traditional Japanese and Chinese woodblock printing techniques infused the art. Then the 1989 earthquake hit San Francisco. It unexpectedly relocated Crown Point Press to its current location.
Valerie Wade stepped in as director. She guided the press through the quake’s aftermath and beyond. Crown Point Press celebrated milestones. Exhibitions at MoMA and collaborative shows with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and the National Gallery of Art marked these achievements.
Crown Point Press continues to invite artists. They produce and publish three or four etching projects annually. Summer workshops welcome aspiring printmakers. So step inside and witness the ongoing legacy of Crown Point Press. This San Francisco treasure is alive and well. Experience the artistry. Discover the history.