The local nonprofit Mancos Common Press has launched a monthlong Kickstarter campaign to raise $15,000 toward the ongoing restoration efforts of the 100-plus-year-old Mancos Times building on Grand Street and its original Cranston printing press.
The nonprofit has applied for a Colorado Historical Society grant to restore the building and get the press fully refurbished, but is required to provide matching funds, said Tami Graham, Mancos Common Press board member.
Upon restoration, the goal is to turn the old Mancos Times-Tribune building and printing press into an arts and education center where students and graphic artists can study, practice, and showcase art made with the historic printer and printing press materials.
Graham explained that goals for programming include artist in residence programs, as well as classes and workshops for folks interested in letterpress and printmaking using a historical press.
The press, one of three in the country, was resurrected in July by the hands of the University of Pennsylvania's The Common Press Project. In December, the Ballantine Family donated the building to the Mancos Common Press in support of their plans to transform it into a graphic arts hub.
The Mancos Common Press contends that as the town continues to promote itself as an arts community and tourist destination, this enterprise would contribute to the development of the arts and education locally, regionally, while preserving and revitalizing a key historic building in the commercial heart of Mancos.
"We're really excited to get to work, but first we need to get the building and press up to par," said Graham.
For more information, visit the Mancos Common Press website: Mancoscommonpress.org.