Cool Place Alert: The IPRC

Let's do the acronym first: IPRC stands for Independent Publishing Resource Center. I think the IPRC is one of Portland's great creative resources. It's a space dedicated to self-publishing, art-making, and expression.

The IPRC has been around since 1998, offering the use of copiers, typewriters, computers, and more to creative Portlanders. To make use of all this bounty, you simply purchase an annual membership (at a sliding scale of $45 - $100), and attend one of the monthly orientation sessions.

Of course, the IPRC is also locally famous for its letterpress studio, which is usually busy with people turning out their own business cards, wedding invitations, stationery and such. As a member, you just sign up for one of the Center's wildly-popular letterpress printing workshops, and you'll be printing away.

Mmmmmmm . . . Letterpress . . . .

While we're on the subject of workshops, you should know that the IPRC offers a continuing schedule of interesting sessions. Here's a recent sampling from the winter calendar: Zines 101, Transfer Printing, Intro to Calligraphy, Intro to Web Design, Marketing Your Craft, and Beginning Bookbinding.

For those of you who are itching to learn the mysteries of Gocco printing, the Center offers periodic classes. (What's Gocco, you ask? Short answer: the coolest home screen-printing rig you ever saw.)

Here's another IPRC claim to fame: its vast library of over 5500 zines. Whether you're a member or not, you're welcome to come in and browse. Locals can even get an IPRC library card.

(In case you just said to yourself, "What's a zine?" here's a quick primer. A zine (rhymes with "keen") is a self-published booklet, made by a real person, about a subject that matters to them. Zines can be about anything under the sun, and they're fascinating reading.)

The IPRC is also a hub of community, providing meeting space to several ongoing groups, and giving workshops and presentations around town. When you look at all that activity, then consider this: the Center is run by a small, dedicated staff and an army of volunteers, and funded primarily by memberships and donations. Wow.

If you'd like to pay a visit, be sure to check out the open hours on the IPRC website. Or if you're inspired to become an IPRC volunteer, stop in and fill out an application.