About
Rubber City Prints is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that cultivates a printshop community by providing fine art education, professional development, and artist residencies. We grow local talent, create national opportunities, and welcome artists from around the world—empowering them to thrive while enriching the cultural and educational life of our community.
History & Mission
Our Mission
Rubber City Prints is on a mission to cultivate a creative, diverse, and inclusive printshop environment that anchors talent in our community and supports artists as they grow. We carry out this mission by providing fine art education, professional development, and artist residencies. We believe that every artist is local somewhere—and through our programs, we aim to grow our local talent, create national opportunities, and welcome residents from around the world to our unique printshop built into a home for artists. We seek support to provide the best facilities, resources, and materials for every artist who comes through our doors. We believe in our mission and will continue to invest in artists so they can thrive while enriching the cultural life and strengthening the educational landscape of our community.
Our Story
Rubber City Prints (RCP) was founded with the vision of creating a permanent space for local printmakers to continue their artistic practice after graduation. The idea began with Pamela Testa, who, while attending Kent State University, recognized that she and her fellow students would lose access to the university’s printmaking facilities after completing their studies.
Determined to keep the printmaking community alive in Akron, Pam collaborated with colleagues, printmakers, and friends to develop a proposal for a small business contest sponsored by the University Park Alliance and Charter One in 2012. The proposal won, securing the funds needed to turn the dream of RCP into reality.
With the dedicated support of fellow printmakers Krista Rickert, Franscica Ugalde, Bridget O’Donnell, and Erica Criss, Rubber City Prints officially opened its doors to the public on November 1, 2014. Just over a year later, in January 2016, RCP proudly achieved nonprofit 501(c)(3) status.
Facilities
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2 Etching Presses
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Flat File Storage
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4 Inking Stations
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Cubby Storage
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Large table areas for clean work
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Green/Toxic-Free facility
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Paper soaking area
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2 Drying boards
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2 Letterpresses
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Screenprinting
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Artist housing
Our Vision & Goals
The goal of Rubber City Prints is to expand its facilities and impact by creating space and opportunities for artists across disciplines. While printmaking remains our foundation, we envision a future where RCP offers studio space for painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, and more—building a comprehensive hub for the arts in Akron.
As part of this vision, we are working toward:
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A Second Location: Establishing an additional site to increase access and provide space for a wider variety of artistic practices.
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Fully Funded Residencies: Expanding our residency program to support artists with stipends, resources, and opportunities to grow their practice while engaging with the community.
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Partnerships with Local Schools: Collaborating with Akron-area schools to integrate printmaking and other art forms into classrooms, offering students access to professional-level instruction and creative opportunities.
This vision builds on RCP’s mission to keep local artists local by providing them with the facilities, support, and pathways they need to thrive. By growing our footprint and deepening our community partnerships, we aim to strengthen Akron’s identity as a city where the arts are not only present but flourishing.
Thank you to our Supporters
Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, Akron Glass Works, Criss Communications, White Rabbit Galleries, Akron Makerspace, and House Three-Thirty.
University Park Alliance, Charter One Bank, Akron Area Art Alliance, Summit Art Space, Akron Beacon Journal, 22 High Street Gallery, Ro3 Gallery, and Family & Friends.