Two Cents Press - Printmaking Arts in Tuscany is a unique residency and a limited editions publisher that offers printmakers an opportunity to live and work in an extraordinary natural setting: the Metal Hills—also known as the land of green energy—in the Castle of Serrazzano, in the heart of Tuscany.
It's an ideal site for a printmaker who values peace and wishes to spend some time in a creative professional environment away from the congestion and the pollution of today’s urban settings.
The view from the Two Cents Press letterpress workshop. On clear days, on the horizon, one can see the Island of Elba. Serrazzano is 535 meters above the sea level.
Residency
TwoCentsPress is a member of ResArtis.
Printmakers have unlimited 24/7 access to a workshop FULLY EQUIPPED FOR ALL INTAGLIO PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUES and B&W PHOTOGRAPHY and are lodged—with their guests—in a luminous apartment on the top floor of the historic Villa Beltrami.
If you are an experienced printmaker, you can go to the atelier, get quickly acquainted with the space and start working on your own as soon as you get to Serrazzano.
If you are new to the printmaking world, want to refine your skills, or interested in learning a new technique, Two Cents Press will provide you with instruction and assistance on the technique of your choice. Check out the classes page to see which ones are offered.
TwoCentsPress visiting artists have also unhindered access to Podere il Casettino, a four hectare property 0.8 km from the village, peppered with oak trees, chestnut trees, over one hundred olive trees, cherry and fig trees, and a spectacular view that spans South all the way to the sea, some 40 kilometers away, over a pristine rolling landscape.
HOW IT WORKS…
Upon arrival, the artists are given a tour of the premises, chose the apartment where they will be staying and meet the other residents. Time permitting, they will be taken for a stroll around the historic center of Serrazzano and the more modern section where the stores are.
In the evening, at a welcome dinner, we’ll get to know more of one another and sketch a plan for the days ahead.
The following day, after a more thorough visit of the workshops, so that they can get familiar with tools, supplies and equipment at hand, the artists can start working on their own, with or without assistance, or take a class.
Classes are typically held in the morning (9/10 am — 12/1 pm) but different times can be arranged.
At the end of the residency, artists are encouraged (no obligation) to hold a show and tell event — exhibiting their work in one of the gallery spaces of Two Cents Press — an event to which everyone in Serrazzano will be invited.
Founders
TwoCentsPress is a project created by Franco Marinai and Anna K. Thorsdottir. Franco is a visual artist, printmaker, and a member of the Society of American Graphic Artists. Twice a recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, his works are in the permanent collection of the Anthology Film Archives, The Center for Book Arts, the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, the Library of Congress and the Italian National Library in Florence. Anna is an architect and leads her firm AKT Architects in NYC.
They spend their time between New York City and Serrazzano and are dedicated to making a thriving art sanctuary for people who love art and nature.
Testimonials
Lovers of print, creativity and those looking for inspiration
”We printed like friends the whole week we were @twocentspress. We learned SO much and made some beautiful plates. So the adventure will continue when we get home. (I see gampi from @the_jpp in my future to capture all the beautiful tones in the photogravure plates!)
Grazie mille to Franco for all his detailed guidance and instruction - so generous and kind. And to Anna and Franco for being so welcoming. We felt right at home as soon as we arrived.” @shealaghpopeart from Ottawa (5/6/2023)
“I am artist-in-residence at the great TwoCentsPress in Tuscany, Italy. Working hard and experimenting, hardly time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Franco Marinai has created some excellent studio’s for intaglio, fotography and letterpress. Check it out!”
(8/10/2021 Instagram post) Jacomijn Den Engelsen, Netherlands
“The TwoCentsPress residency at Serrazzano is a magnificently inspiring and relaxing haven. The peace and beauty of the place prompts creativity unlike anywhere else, and the hospitality is unmatched. A true retreat for artists hoping to get work done, and a spectacular vacation for the spirit.”
(5/13/18) writers Rebecca Dinerstein and John Knight
“Working together with Franco is a wonderful experience. He leads you to the process of cyanotype printing and showed us the beauty of nature and oldest way of photography. The beautiful village, tasteful lunch and working in a well-equipped atelier made this day for us perfect. Highly recommended.”
(4/2018) Helen from Nijmegen, Netherlands