A two-week less-toxic printmaking workshop in electro-etching techniqe. The art residency in the island of Gran Canaria, Spain. June and August 2025.
Description of residency
The Electro-etching workshop-residency introduces the artist to an alternative technique of intaglio etching, using a completely non-toxic electrical process. It offers one of the healthiest and most fascinating methods for etching copper, zinc, and iron plates. Among its many other advantages, the electro-etching process does not generate toxic gases, nor does it generate metalic residue that acumulates in the grooves and stops the etching. The mordant does not become exhausted by successive bites and it does not undercut the metal under the varnish. It completely eliminates the harmful spray from rosin or asphalt for aquatints.
The electro-etching residency is held at the workshop and residence of the artist Alfonso Crujera. The resident artist will be introduced to the fascinating of electro-etching copper or zinc plates. He will have access to the master’s direct and personal assistance and will have the opportunity to develop their current knowledge of non-toxic etching using electricity, applying these techniques to their own work. The artist will also learn how to assemble an electro-etching unit themselves, so they will be able to continue electro-etching in their own studio back home.
Program
Theoretical content
• Rudiments of electrolysis
• History of electro-etching
• Principles of electro-etching
• The electro-etching unit
• How set up an electro-etching unit from the beginning
(You do not need any previous knowledge of electricity)
• Preparing the electrolyte
• Voltage and amperage
Practical content
• Preparation of the plate, including filing and degreasing
• Hard ground, etching lines
• Electrotint with open bite
• Graphite ink and Big resists for lines and electrotint
• Soft ground
• Semi-dry electro-etching
• Alternative resists (lithographic pencil, oxidation, splashing, etc.)
• Safety rules
Use of studio and professional attention
A reasonable timetable of four hours a day, five days a week is considered sufficient to guide and advise artists with respect to the technique of Electro-Etching. The workshop itself will be at their complete disposal 24 hours a day. All of the equipment required for etching (electrolytic unit, tools, acrylic and oil based resists, proof inks, solvents) will be provided at the workshop.
Language: Spanish and English
Grant explanation
Two individual grants for two artists under thirty, Fine Arts graduates between 2019 and 2024 with experience in intaglio printmaking.
The grant consists of free accommodation for two weeks and the trip to and from the airport to the residence at the beginning and end of the stay. This represents a saving for the artist of €625.
Those selected must pay their travel fares to Gran Canaria, their meals, and profesinal advice in electro-etching.
Workshop and profesional advice: €1,320.
Note: the price does not include papers and plates, which should bring them by the artists.
Health Insurance is obligatory.
Dates for the residence
• June 16th to 28th, 2025
• August 11th to 23th, 2025
Dates open to shifting as a result of unexpected circumstances and/or to adjust to the requirements of the workshop-residency or artist.
Accommodation
There is a separate apartment with single room with private bathroom and shower. You have a kitchen for cooking and free access to Internet with a complete art liblibrary. See pictures from the residency.
Location of the residence-workshop
The island of Gran Canaria, Spain (How to arrive - Gran Canaria Airport - IATA code: LPA)
Application Information
To apply for the grant artists should send an e-mail to electro@crujera.com including the Registration Form filled , copy of his/her graduation certificate, a CV and a brief biography, five pictures of prints and a statement of why he/she wants to attend the Electro-etching workshop (200 words maximum).
Download the Grant Registration Form
Application deadline
• December 21st, 2024
Selection process
A committee from the residence-workshop will make the selection of the two artists based mainly on the applicant's artwork and the statement of interest.
Applicants will be informed before January 5th, 2025.
Acceptance of the grant *
On acceptance of the grant the selected artists must pay before January 31st, 2025 a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the amount for instruction (€396) in our bank account. This amount will be deducted from the total when the artist attends the residence. (The artists must pay the costs of the bank transfer).
* Failure to comply with these conditions will void any commitment of director of the residence-workshop with the selected artist, who will be replaced with another candidate.
• More information about the residence program
Graduate artists under thirty who have been awarded the scholarship to attend the residency workshop in previous years.
• August 2024 Quirina Wang (China)
• July 2024 Bach Singh (England)
• August 2023 Hannah Feuerstein (Germany / Scotland)
• June 2022 Kailey Mackenzie Brown (USA)
• August 2019 Carissa Kalia Heinrichs (USA)
• July 2019 Kristina Key (USA)
• August 2018 Diego Vergara Mesa (Colombia / USA)
• July 2018 Anna Ólafsson (Iceland / Scotland - UK)
• August 2017 Cara Seccafien (Canada)
• July 2017 Laura Bollati (Italy)
• More information about the artists in residence •2023-2024•2023-2019• 2019-2018 • 2017-2015 • 2014-2011
International open call for applications to attend the residency from January to December 2025.
• Open deadline for applications
Send an e-mail to electro@crujera.com for more information.