ABOUT a83

a83 is a nonprofit organization with a three-part mission to exhibit, publish, and promote experimental projects in architecture, art, and design. Building from the previous operation, John Nichols Printmakers & Publishers (1978 –1994), the organization continues to operate at the original location in SoHo as a printmaking studio, project-space, and growing archive. The 83 Grand Street location is used to produce exhibitions and installations, host workshops, and broadcast work to new audiences.

EST.1978

a83 formed summer of 2020 in the spirit of John Nichols Printmakers & Publishers (JNP&P). The organization as it exists today is an evolution of JNP&P–an experimental printmaking studio and exhibition space run by John Nichols at 83 Grand Street in SoHo New York from 1978-1994. During this period of time JNP&P became known within the US as the prime source for high-quality architectural images.


Nichols was trained as an architect and artist. He was employed at MLTW/Moore-Turnbull during the construction of Sea Ranch, then moved to NYC in the 1970s to work for Alexander Heinrici, the printmaker who’s studio is known for producing Andy Warhol’s screenprints among other major figures of post-war American art. After several years Nichols set out to establish his own operation and converted the bottom two floors of a defunct paintbrush factory building in SoHo into an artist-in-residence including a printmaking studio and exhibition space. The printmaking studio in the basement was equipped with a range of presses which allowed for JNP&P to produce atypical hybrid prints. The exhibition space on the main floor was used to present the work being produced in the basement and for experimental installations which allowed work that did not have a place in either a commercial or institutional setting to be publicly displayed.

Initially JNP&P primarily worked with artists (including Laurie Anderson, Joseph Beuys, Gordon Hart, Jessie Nebraska Gifford, Charles Ross, and many more), however Nichols soon recognized the potential value of fine art printmaking techniques for architects and designers. The print studio became a hub of interdisciplinary production eluding the clean division of art and design. Concurrently, a serious commercial market for architectural images was established in New York City by the Max Protecht, Leo Castelli, and Henry Urbach galleries. Many of the architectural prints on display at these galleries were produced by JNP&P. During the 1980s and early 90s JNP&P worked with notable architects and landscape architects such as Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Steven Holl, Thom Mayne, Martha Schwartz, Diller + Scofidio, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott-Brown, amongst others. In the 90s Nichols moved the operation to the Princeton University School of Architecture where he taught theories of visual representation through applied printmaking.

As of 2020 a83 has picked up where JNP&P left off. The organization has re-occupied the space at 83 Grand Street, continuing to function as an artist-in-residence in the original historic building. Much of the aim of a83 is to continue JNP&P’s project to provide architects and designers with access to experimental printmaking techniques along with a venue to exhibit this work. Where a83 differs from JNP&P is that the contemporary incarnation is a non-profit and has introduced archival and educational components to the operation.

a83 holds the John Nichols Printmakers & Publishers Collection within the archive. The organization endeavours to make the archive accessible to the public through exhibition programming, privately organized visits, educational workshops, and eventually a web-based seachable image database. The editions produced by Nichols et al. can be found in a variety of museums and collections although there is currently no comprehensive documentation available of the body of work associated with JNP&P.

John Nichols is a member of a83 and runs an organic farm in NJ. He is still printing.
(Contact Farmer John here.)

JNP&P was John Nichols, Nenad Bozic, Arnold Brooks, Laurence Hovde, Barbara Neff, Rejla Penizic and Elizabeth Shallow.

“John Nichols was the principal printmaker for many architects during the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, insofar as the relationship between art and architecture is not only defined in relation to medium or discipline but also at the intersection between people and production, John Nichols Printmakers and Publishers at 83 Grand Street, in New York City, is where they came together.”

p. 153, Architecture Itself and Other Postmodernization Effects by Sylvia Lavin

PEOPLE

Owen Nichols is an architect based in New York City. Nichols holds a bachelor’s of fine arts with concentrations in drawing and printmaking, and received his M.Arch from Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) in 2013. Nichols is currently the Director of Printmaking Operations at a83 where he leads the consultation and execution of print editions produced in collaboration with contemporary architects, artists and designers. Nichols co-directs a83 and runs the design firm Chibbernoonie along with Clara Syme. Nichols has taught at Columbia University GSAPP, Parsons School of Design, Cornell, and UFPR in Curitiba. 

John Van Esbroeck joined the Board upon its founding in 2022. Van Esbroeck and his wife are supporters of emerging artists and architects in New York City. He received his MBA from Queen’s University, Canada. He trades renewable energy and has 10+ years of experience of analysis and risk management. He provides commercial depth and financial expertise to the organization and is thrilled to be on the Board of a83.

Violette de la Selle is an architect and educator based in New York City. Violette earned her Masters in Architecture at Yale and her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. Violette is a founding member of Citygroup, an art and architecture collective and project space in New York City that analyzes the conditions of the built environment. In addition to exhibitions and regular gatherings, Citygroup hosts “Dialogue not Monologue,” a debate series that challenges the habits of architectural practice through sustained conversations among many participants. In 2022, Citygroup was recognized as a recipient of the Architectural League Prize. Violette has worked as a project manager with Becker + Becker since 2020 on renovating and transforming the Pirelli Building in New Haven into the energy pioneering Hotel Marcel. She has previously worked at SHoP Architects in New York and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners in London. Violette co-edited the journal Perspecta 49: Quote. Violette has published writing in Exhibit A: Exhibitions That Transformed Architecture, E. Pelkonen, Ed. (New York: Phaidon, 2018) and San Rocco 66. Violette is currently teaching design studios at the Yale School of Architecture.

Clara Syme is an architect based in NYC where she, along with Nichols, co-directs a83 and the design firm Chibbernoonie. Since operating a83 she has curated over 10 exhibitions, organized events and educational workshops, contributed to the production of fine-art print editions, and is director of archival material at a83. Syme received her Bachelor of Architectural Studies from University of Waterloo and her Masters in Architecture from Princeton University. Syme has taught design studios at University of Waterloo School of Architecture and Parsons School of Design. Prior to joining Chibbernoonie she has worked for the firms LAMAS, BAS, LGA, Powerhouse Company, LSS, and 3rd Uncle Design.

Karen Nichols is a Principal at Michael Graves Architecture & Design and has been an integral member of the firm since 1977. Nichols was the Principal-in-Charge for the renovation and expansion of The Newark Museum in Newark, New Jersey, the master plan of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. From 1978 to 1994 Karen Nichols performed curatorial and administrative roles at JNP&P in New York City. In 2003, Karen was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the practice of architecture. Karen sits on the NJIT School of Architecture Board of Visitors. She has designed more than 35 exhibitions and has edited seven monographs. Karen received her Master of Architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

PRESS

Architect Magazine “Printing Possibilities
Architectural Image-Making in 1980s NY: Part I, PROOFS exhibition review by Aaron Betsky

Graham Foundation Announces 2022 Grants to Organizations
Including a83’s 3-part exhibition series on architectural image-making 1980s New York

The Architect’s Newspaper “Graham Foundation reveals awardees of 2022 organization grantsBy Matt Hickman

Log
Issue No.55 “Time Pieces”

Anthony Ames: Fifty Paintings exhibition review by Thomas de Monchaux

The Architect’s Newspaper “In the Paint
Anthony Ames: Fifty Paintings exhibition review by Courtney Coffman

The Architect’s Newspaper “On the Bias”
Claude Parent: Oblique Narratives exhibition review by Igor Siddiqui

New York Review of Architecture “Lines of Flight”
Claude Parent: Oblique Narratives exhibition review by Ian Volner

Architectural Record “The Art of the Oblique
Claude Parent: Oblique Narratives exhibition review by Joseph Giovannini

The New York Times “What to See in N.Y.C. Galleries Right Now”
Claude Parent: Oblique Narratives exhibition review by James Russell

NYC x Design 2022 "Claude Parent: Oblique Narratives No.1" Exhibition announcement

e-flux Architecture "Claude Parent"
Exhibition announcement

The Architect’s Newspaper “Reality Bits”
BITS group exhibition review by Matthew Allen

RUR News “Reiser+Umemoto’s Shadow Theater Exhibited in ‘BITS’ at a83 Gallery in New York City”

NYRA Issue No. 12 “John Nichols Gallery Sets the Tone”
Interview by Frida Vogel

TheGuide.art “Architectural Drawing Not for Construction”
Exhibition review Elizabeth Fazzare

e-flux Architecture “Working Remotely”
Exhibition announcement

The Architect’s Newspaper “Working Remotely”
Working Remotely group exhibition review by Matt Hickman

Flores & Prats News “F&P exhibit in NYC – ‘WORKING REMOTELY’ at a83”

Cultured Magazine “Meet a83”

AN Interior Spring 2021 “Gallery Talk: a83”