by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Local artists have a chance to learn new skills at Mary Bruno’s open house from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 at her business, Bruno Press, located at 154 Fifth Ave. SE, St. Joseph.
Visitors will have a chance to see how things get printed at Bruno press and will be able to bring a free print home.
The event will also feature artists Janelle Carlson, who creates candles, hand-made soaps, lotions and scrubs; and Scott Hamilton who creates walking sticks.
The event will include tours, snacks, beverages (including wine) and more.
Bruno held the first open house in May and this will be her fourth open house.
“I really wanted to get people comfortable with visiting my shop and seeing what I do, because I am starting to host classes at the shop,” Bruno said. “Bringing people in to see demonstrations of all the presses and cool stuff I make can inspire people to want to do it too.”
During the monthly workshops, Bruno invited local art makers to join her at the shop to sell things they create. Some artists she has included are jewelry by Amy Bibeau and Madison Holler and hand-made planters and fairy gardens by Diane McGrew.
The events are free for anyone of all ages who wants to attend.
Bruno will also begin teaching a series of printing classes from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. During the “Letterpress Printing 101” classes, she will teach some of the concepts of designing layout and how to set type and compose a poster. Attendees will learn to print poster backgrounds and then the text. They will also learn about printing, carving and cleaning up. The classes will include lunch.
Bruno plans to continue a series of the classes to teach the skills of the art of letterpress printing. There is a fee for the classes, and the number of participants is limited due to space.
Bruno is the owner of the small letterpress print shop, which she took over after her father, Don Bruno died. Don was a professor of art at the College of St. Benedict and St. Cloud State University and also a freelance designer.
For more information or to register for the event, visit the mcbrunopress.com website or Facebook.

Mary Bruno will host her fourth open house from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 at her business, Bruno Press – a small letter press print shop located at 154 Fifth Ave. SE, St. Joseph. Bruno plans to begin teaching a series of classes Aug. 19 about the skills of the art of letterpress printing.

Visitors browse at Bruno Press during a previous open house. A fourth open house from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 will feature artists Janelle Carlson and Scott Hamilton.

Visitors browse at Bruno Press during a previous open house. A fourth open house from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 will feature artists Janelle Carlson and Scott Hamilton.

Mary Bruno will teach a series of printing classes beginning from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 at her shop, Bruno Press, located at 154 Fifth Ave. SE, St. Joseph.