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Spike Print Studio are delighted to announce three new darkroom residencies for artists focused on alternative photographic processes.
Starting in 2027, each six-week residency offers up to four days a week of darkroom access at Spike Print Studio, a small materials allowance, and a pop-up exhibition.
We are looking for three South West based artists who want to research, experiment and expand their current practice and create a body of work to exhibit in a three person show at Spike Print Studio in June 2027 (coinciding with Spike Island’s launch of British Art Show 10).
An artists’ talk will take place at Spike Island during the pop-up exhibition. The three artists will talk ‘in conversation’ together and the event will be hosted by Spike Print studio.
Possible technical areas of enquiry could be (but are not limited to) Cyanotype, Gum Bichromate, Lith printing, Phytogram, Lumen Printing, Cliché Verre, Pin Hole camera etc
The successful applicants will be able to work independently in their field and be prepared to lead a small workshop for Spike Print Studio members.
What we’re looking for:
- Artists based in the South West with a particular project or research enquiry to expand their practice over the 6 weeks
- Artists able to work confidently and independently in their field
- Artists willing to lead a small workshop for Spike Print Studio members
What we’re offering:
- A six-week residency with to four days darkroom access per week (Mondays and Tuesdays guaranteed access, with bookable access on Wednesdays and Thursdays)
- £200 material budget
- A group exhibition with fellow residency awardees at Spike Print Studio in June 2027 (coinciding with Spike Island’s launch of British Art Show 10)
- A paid artist talk at Spike Island, hosted by Spike Print Studio
Our darkroom equipment:
- Enlarger – Durst M300 B&W enlarger – 35mm
- Enlarger – Durst C65 B&W enlarger – 35mm
- Printing frame
- Focus finder
- Test strip maker
- Contrast filters
- Exposure Unit – Natgraph, UV (metal halide bulb),1.2 x 1m
- Etching press – table-top, with blankets, bed size 60 x 30 cm
- A2 Lightbox
- Trays
- Tongs
Residency timeline:
Thursday 5 November 2026 – Applications open
Sunday 29 November 2026 – Application Close
w/c 30 November and w/c 7 December – Shortlisted applicant interviews
w/c 14 December 2026 – Selected artists notified
18 January to 4 March 2027 – Residency 1 (no access w/c 15/01)
8 March to 22 April 2027 – Residency 2 (no access w/c 05/04)
26 April to 8 June 2027 – Residency 3 (no access on 3/05 and 31/05)
TBC June 2027 - Exhibition and Artists’ Talk
How to apply:
Please complete this application form.
Deadline Sunday 29 November 2026, 23:59 GMT
Interviews for shortlisted application will take place in w/c 30 November and w/c 7 December 2026. The selected artists will be confirmed w/c 14 December 2026.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please email info@spikeprintstudio.org