Today we’d like to introduce you to Thayer Bray.
Hi Thayer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I earned a BFA in printmaking from KU in 2009 and was able to attain a position at The Lawrence Lithography workshop, where I worked up from shop assistant to edition printer. Looking into the future, I wanted to run a community access print space myself, and had almost a decade of operational print shop experience, but lacked experience in any of the business side of things, so I decided to pursue an MBA from UMKC which I earned in 2023. There I engaged in the EScholars program, an entrepreneurial accelerator program which really helped me to look at what I wanted to accomplish soberly and plan for best execution of my idea. After graduation I founded Greenhouse Print Space, a business with the goal of promoting and supporting print arts and print artists in Kansas City. In June 2024 Greenhouse began a collaboration with Kansas City Center for the Ink and Paper Arts in pursuance of that goal to generate print focused educational programming and broker access between artists and KCCIPA’s facilities and equipment.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been slow but steady. Every week I learn something new, and have to engage in many minor pivots and reassessments of what I’m doing and how I’m doing it, and thinking critically in both the short and long term. Also, marketing and advertising is significantly more difficult that what one could conceive of beforehand! But, again, learning and growing and responsive adaptation is what i keep in mind.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a printmaker, specializing in Fine Art Lithography. Distinct form copying previously executed work photo mechanically/digitally, Fine Art Printmaking involves working directly with traditional 14th-20th century print technologies; the artist generally working directly on a stone, woodblock, copper plate, etc. to generate an original image, which is then produced in a (usually) limited edition. In addition to Greenhouse, I show my personal work regularly, and have curated and cocurated several art exhibitions at Charlotte Street Foundation and Kansas City Artists Coalition.
My goal in my curation practice and with Greenhouse is to advocate for arts and artists, uplift voices, and develop, nurture and grow the visibility and , hopefully, careers of art and artists in Kansas City.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I suppose I’m quite lucky to have been raised in a middle class family. I grew up in the Shawnee Mission School District and had my first real exposure to printmaking as an 8 year old during their Summer Enrichment art program. I’m certainly lucky to have parents that were supportive of my art pursuits.
Business wise, I’m lucky to live in Kansas City, whose art scene and community are very well supported and respected, especially for the relatively modest size of the city.
Pricing:
- Weekly access passes $30
- Monthly access passes $80
- Monthly classes between $120-$200
- 1 day workshops-$50-$100
- Studio spaces- waitlist
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Greenhouseprintspace.org
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/greenhouseprintspace
