What are the [Baren] Exchanges?

[Baren] runs an active program of print exchanges, in which the members (in groups of up to thirty) make editions of thirty prints each and exchange them with each other.

The Exchange program was initiated in late 1998, and has continued at the rate of a new folio being produced about every three months.

How does it work?

Whenever it is time for a new exchange to start up, a sign-up sheet is posted on this website, containing a description of the proposed exchange - theme if any, paper size, and other relevant details. Members who wish to participate fill out that sign-up sheet to register their intent to take part.

Earlier exchanges were not scheduled, and thus only 'started up' once the limit of 30 members had been reached, but now that the schedule for the year is posted in advance, it is possible for exchanges to get under way with a variable number of participants.

Sign-up is of course open to any [Baren] member, but with one qualification: first crack at each exchange is given to members who did not participate in the one immediately preceding it. Once this 'early sign-up' period has passed, other members are free to join.

One of the participants is selected as coordinator, and this person 'rides herd' on the group during the progress of the work, and also performs the very important task of doing the physical collation and distribution of the prints. Members send their finished edition to this person, and once all the prints are received, the coordinator collates them into sets, and returns them to the participants. More information about exchange coordination is here.

Immediately following the completion of each exchange, the complete set of prints is displayed in a new section on this website. (see below for links to previous exchange folios).

Participation in an exchange involves no fees, but of course return postage must accompany the print package when it is sent to the coordinator.

A case for the prints is made available for each exchange, and members may choose to order one of these here if they wish, but this is completely optional. Labels for cases may be downloaded in PDF format here and then edited with the correct exchange number and printed.

Details:

Themes: Members have shown great interest in both options - having a theme for the exchange, and in being allowed to make a print on their own topic. In response to this, a policy of alternating between 'open' and 'themed' exchanges has been instituted. Odd-numbered exchanges are themed; even-numbered exchanges are open.

Paper size: This also is a point on which a wide range of opinions has been registered. The early exchanges alternated between two fairly standard paper dimensions, but with the question of theme already alternating in such a fashion, the paper dimension question works on a three-way rotation.

• chu-ban size is about 10 x 7.5 inches (25.5 x 19cm)
• oban size is about 15 x 10 inches (38 x 25.5 cm)
• 'other' size

'Other' will vary each time, in order that members have a chance to make prints in various interesting formats.

One final point should be emphasized - the mailing list that makes up [Baren] is open to everyone to join, and the membership is thus made up of a mix of 'lurkers' and active participants in the forum. If you are considering signing up for an Exchange, please remember that this implies some active participation in [Baren] discussions ... if you remain a 'mystery' name, it leaves everyone else feeling quite uncomfortable.