Riso SF5450 printing a two-color gradient of Fluorescent Orange and Federal Blue.

We Are Risolana.

South Valley • Albuquerque • New Mexico

Risolana is a community risograph studio located in the South Valley.

Risolana operates within Partnership for Community Action’s Social Enterprise Center, located at 722 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105.

Riso for Artists workshop led by co-founders Michael Lopez and Karl Orozco.

We see power in printmaking as a tool for community dialogue where personal and collective expression meet.

What is a Risograph?

A risograph is a printer invented by the Riso Kagaku Corporation in Japan in the 80’s. The Risograph uses ink to produce vibrant digital prints with a uniquely handcrafted feel. Although originally marketed to corporations, schools, and churches for their efficiency and low cost, artists have recently used risographs to start small presses and DIY printmaking spaces.

How to Riso

Lets Make Something!

Artwork above by artist and musician Asenath Lizárraga.

Inspired by the New Mexican concept of *la resolana**, our resolana is a two-page spread open to the sun.

*a south-facing wall where community members gather, share, and reflect

Risolana’s 2023 Annual Calendar, featuring artwork by artist Beedallo.

Our Mission

Risolana started in 2021 to fill the need for a publicly accessible risograph studio in the state of New Mexico. We prioritize empowering our community by teaching the process and uses of the risograph over simply providing printing services. We aim to:

Cultivate an artmaking space as accessible as the risograph itself

Establish a network of socially engaged artists and designers
Organize a printed archive of Albuquerque’s artistic and social movements

Looking to Print?

Email Us Questions!

Name

First Name

Last Name

Subject

Message

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Artwork above by artist Carlos I. Gabaldon.

Color & Paper Options

PANTONE: BLACK U >>> HEX: #000000

PANTONE: 288 U >>> HEX: #3D5588

PANTONE: 1245 U >>> HEX: #BB8B41

PANTONE: 805 U >>> HEX: #FF7477

PANTONE: 806 U >>> HEX: #FF48B0

PANTONE: 116 U >>> HEX: #FFB511

PANTONE: RED 032 U >>> HEX: #F65058

PANTONE: 292 U >>> HEX: #62A8E5

PANTONE: 354 U >>> HEX: #00A95C

PANTONE: 7430 U >>> HEX: #E6B5C9

Apply to our 2024 Artist-in-Residence Program

Risolana is offering our Artist-in-Residence Program this Summer 2024! Applications are due Friday, April 5th at 11:59 PM. This residency is for artists residing in New Mexico interested in riso prints and bookmaking, although no prior experience is required. People of color are encouraged to apply. The selected artist will create work alongside Risolana's staff to produce a limited edition artist book that expands on the artist's current body of artwork and/or writing and imagines it in the form of a risograph printed book. They will also lead a public workshop centered around the themes and processes of their artwork in the Summer of 2024. The residency will culminate in a final exhibition in Fall 2024, which will include the sale of their artist books. This residency comes with a $1,000 honorarium, and revenue from the sale of artist books will be split with Risolana.

What You Get

Three months of studio access available from May-July 2024. Artists should expect to be available for scheduled in-person meetings from May 2024 to November 2024.
Artist-in-residence will work closely with Risolana staff to get their artist book printed and bound.
Select the next drum color that will be added to Risolana’s palette.
Half paid up front, half paid upon completion. Artist groups will be responsible for splitting the honorarium themselves.
Revenue from 100 copies of the artist books will be split 50:50 with Risolana.
Culminating exhibition alongside sale of artist books in November 2024.

What We Ask

Develop a unique riso-printed artist book investigating themes in artistic practice (up to 100 copies).
Lead a workshop centered around themes in your work with support from Risolana staff.
Install and be present for the culminating exhibition in November 2024.

Application Questions

Please share your concept for your artist book. This book should draw on your current body of work or a concept you have been developing. (500 words or less - 3800 characters)
Why are you interested in making a book? (Max 300 words or 2000 characters)
Y or N - Do you identify as a Person of Color - including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx and/or Asian?
What is your connection to New Mexico? This application is open to all artists residing in the state of New Mexico. (500 characters)
Provide us with a link to introduce us to you and/or your work (e.g. web portfolio, Instagram).
We ask that you are available for weekly pre-scheduled in-person meetings and studio days between May-July 2024 and pre-scheduled in-person meetings during book production from Sept-Nov 2024. You also need to be present for the final show in November. :D Will this work for you? If not, please explain.

Apply to the 2024 AIR Program Here!

Our Services

Studio Access

We invite community members to come to our space and get hands on experience with the risograph themselves.
Consultations

We provide one-on-one consultations with those who need design or printing support.
Workshops

We host regular workshops for the community to introduce others to digital and analog processes.