Royal Scottish Academy

About

Peacock is an open access printmaking workshop in Aberdeen established in 1974. By open access we mean, you can use our facilities regardless of skill level. We offer a wide range of artistic techniques, such as relief printing, intaglio, screenprint, lithography, risograph and letterpress.

The worm is a contemporary visual art gallery. We showcase artworks from all over the world, focusing on print and publishing. Our exhibitions show work by contemporary artists, fine art print from our archives and objects related to Aberdeen’s rich print history. Entry is always free.

Since our inception we have supported thousands of local, national and international artists in the production of artworks. As its core lies the idea of the multiple – work that can be reproduced in a variety of formats, analogue and digital.

Peacock’s role in the city of Aberdeen has been to activate spaces where artists and citizens are prompted by artworks to congregate around ideas and practices that interrupt everyday routines. We expand the idea of printmaking beyond fine art to include artists ephemera, publishing, posters and badges. We regularly work in community settings and have mobile printing facilities.

We are a charity supported by Aberdeen City Council and Creative Scotland.

Studio Facilities

Small lockers to store personal belongings and WIFI available
Access to the studio between 9.30-5.30. This is a shared studio
Communal kitchen
Library of art and printmaking related books

SCREENPRINT:

4 vacuum screen beds:
1230 x 1700mm bed size (1140 x 1470mm max screen size)
1220 x 1500mm bed size (1140 x 1240mm max screen size)
970 x 1450mm bed size (960 x 1140mm max screen size) x 2
T-shirt printing press (450 x 450mm)
2 x UV exposure units
Various lightboxes
Screens available to use or you can bring your own

LITHOGRAPHY:

Mann Lithography Press (1120mm x 1000mm)
Stones of various sizes

ETCHING:

Polymetaal Electric Press (2000 x 1240mm)
Rochat Press (1050 x 650mm)
Small Etching press (600 x 380mm)

RELIEF:

Polymetaal Electric Press (2000 x 1240mm)
Columbian Press (640 x 510mm)

LETTER PRESS:

Albion Press (250 x 380mm platen size)
Columbian Press (640 x 510mm platen size)
Adana Letterpress Machine (203 x 127mm)
Various cases of wooden type, small selection of metal type

RISOGRAPH:

Twin Drum Riso MZ1070E (320 X 430mm max paper size, up to 250gsm uncoated paper thickness)
10 colours (Black, Blue, Teal, Green, Aqua, Florescent Orange, Florescent, Bring Red, Yellow, White)

OTHER EQUIPMENT:

Canon A0 Stencil Maker
Laser Cutter (1200 x 900mm), Suitable for acrylic, laser grade ply, bamboo and rubber
Vinyl Cutter (max roll width 600mm, available cutting areas 550mm)
Fastbind Elite XTPerfect Binder (455 x 320mm max sheet size (0.1-50mm thickness)
Paper Guillotine (475 – 450mm)

Costs

Open access (non-Members):

Half Day (4 hours): £9.00
Full Day (8 hours): £18.00

Members:

We have a three-tier membership, priced on a sliding scale so you can pick the one that best suits your needs. We offer full day (8 hour) and half day (4 hour) rates.

Occasional Member: £50

Half day: £6
Full day: £12
10 x Half Days Card: £54

Regular Member: £150

Half day: £2
Full day: £4
10 x Half Day Cards: £18

Frequent Member: £300

No daily fee – come in as much as you like

The rate for an artist working with our printmaker is set at £30 per hour (£250 per day 10am-5pm) ex-VAT.

1-to-1s in any printmaking technique available for £50+VAT per 3-hour session.

All memberships are valid for one year and include:

10% off materials (editioning papers, ink, etc)
10% of all Peacock prints in our shop
You work featured on our website
The ability to sell your work on our platforms
Opportunities to exhibit work throughout the year

A 25% concession discount applies on all memberships and daily fees.

Minimum Period

Negotiable

Maximum Period

Negotiable (up to one month)

Other facilities

Invitation to engage with a community of artists developing exciting projects ranging from fine art prints to publications, posters and even a bestiary.

Peacock & the worm is in the heart of the Castle Gate, in the centre of Aberdeen. The city is located on the Northeast Coast located between the rivers Dee and Don. Aberdeen has a bustling nightlife with arts and music events, local restaurants and cafes. The beach is a 20-minute walk from the worm. Access to Aberdeenshire is available via regular public transport.

Support offered

We have a skilled and expert team at Peacock who are available for technical and curatorial support.

Promotional support offered

Promotional support offered through our social media platforms, e-newsletter and invitations to public events. We can also produce flyers and posters depending on budget.

Exhibition or other opportunities

Depending on the project there could be a public presentation of the work in our Print Room, and/or public talk. We are happy to work with residents to support future planning for residency outcomes. This could include support on ‘next steps’ such as letter of support or funding advice, or further exhibition opportunities.

Requirements

Artists must already be proficient in the area they want to work in. Classes and one-on-one tuition are available. All new workshop users must complete an induction.

Accommodation offered

Accommodation is not available on site.

Alternative accommodation

Hotel/B+B average cost £60-£70 per night. (Peacock can assist artists in organising accommodation).

Travel

Google Maps location link: maps.app.goo.gl/jWzatDEz5g19rdQW6

We are accessible by bus, train, car and bicycle. Half a mile from train station and 100 meters from bus stop (line 1 and 2) 11, 14 and 23. An online map is available from our website.

No private parking is available, on street parking and car par available nearby. Please be aware we are in the LEZ (Low Emissions Zone) and restrictions will apply.

Accessibility

If you require support, please contact us in advance to discuss, we aim to help everyone access our facilities. Below is our venue access information for Peacock & the worm

Peacock:

Historic building with no lift.
Wheelchair access to ground floor studio (relief printing).
No wheelchair access to 1st floor studio (screen-printing, communal kitchen)
We have toilets on the ground floor. Handrails have been added however this is not a fully accessible toilet.
Please be aware all the lanes around Peacock are cobbled. If using a wheelchair or other mobility aids, a slightly smoother pathway can be found from King Street and along the side of St Andrew Cathedral.

The worm: