Soapbox artists at work (Instagram photo)

Here are some more details on The Soapbox’s moving plans announced in December. The West Philly-based community print-making studio and zine library has announced that it’s moving this spring from 47th and Kingsessing to 4542 Baltimore Ave.

After operating at 47th and Kingsessing Avenue for the past seven years, The Soapbox is moving into a larger and more accessible location at 4542 Baltimore Ave, according to a recent announcement. The Soapbox will be able to “more than double” the number of independent artist studios it offers and expand its programming in the new space. It will also be able to create more studio space for letterpress, screen print, risograph, and other book and paper arts.

Soapbox co-founder Mary Tasillo says that “we named The Soapbox after the crates historically used for impromptu public speeches, with the goal of creating a space for self-expression.”

The Soapbox opened in 2011 as a zine library and a basement studio in a rowhouse on 51st and Baltimore and has grown to a community studio with a screen printing darkroom, papermaking facilities, a risograph printer, and multiple small- and large-format letterpresses. Over the past 15 years, the studio has welcomed members from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences with the arts. It has been a home to artist residencies, art critique clubs, and drop-in zinemaking groups. The Soapbox’s zine collection now includes more than 3,000 handmade publications going back to the 1980s.

Soapbox’s new space was formerly occupied by Ezra’s Auto Repair shop.

“We’re going to have more exhibit space, more studio space right on West Philly’s Main Street,” says longtime board member Erin Robin. “We’re getting ready to have a lot more people walking into our art space… Just imagine when we open up that big garage door between the studio and the street.”

The Soapbox has launched a $50,000 fundraising campaign for renovating the new space. The crowdfunding campaign kicked off in December with the opening of an exhibition of Soapbox artists’ work at Knockbox Cafe on 45th and Pine. Members of the public can support the Soapbox directly by making a donation.

For more information, updates, and to support the move, visit www.phillysoapbox.org or @phillysoapbox on social media.