Empowering Creative Voices
OUr Studio is located at 4700 Kingsessing Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143. Contact Us
Why Us?
The Soapbox is the only community-based studio in Philadelphia with a full letterpress and papermaking studio, alongside resources in screenprinting, relief printing, risograph, book binding and zine making. We have a zine and artist book library of over 3,500 titles. With a focus on building community, we offer workshops and training alongside access to equipment for independent projects. We want to support you in amplifying and uplifting your voice and creative spirit.
Our Mission
The Soapbox is a West Philadelphia-based 501c3 non-profit that fosters the creative and political voices of the community. By providing resources, equipment, and instruction in printing, binding, and related self-publication arts, The Soapbox seeks to empower individuals and non-profit community organizations to disseminate information and creative voices. The Soapbox values art-making, word-smithing, and skillsharing towards a vision of social justice wherein all people have access to the means of production, and learn to produce materials that are accessible to the many rather than the few.
Executive Director, Trebor Adams
I was born and raised in Philadelphia and I graduated from Temple University. My background is in marketing/advertising and my passions are fashion, art, and music. Throughout my career as a creative consultant and project manager I've been able to collaborate with brands like Nickelodeon, Faze Clan, and Bronny James. I've also had the opportunity to spearhead non-profit projects of my own in the West Philadelphia area to revitalize local playgrounds and basketball courts.
I was first introduced to The Soapbox through the screen printing workshops. I truly enjoyed the experience of learning how my favorite shirts are made. The instructor was attentive and sweet, leaving a memorable impression on me. As time progressed I learned that I too wanted to create memorable moments with other creatives and be of support to the creative community. When the opportunity to join the team arised I quickly jumped at it in hopes of serving such an amazing organization and community.
Meet the Volunteer Board of directors
Kristina Bivona
Kristina Bivona is a printmaker and book artist living in West Philadelphia. Her studio practice emphasizes the lived experience of sex workers and criminalization. Bivona founded and runs the Recess print shop in Brooklyn, New York, and works as a teaching artist alongside their prison diversion project, Assembly. She is also a doctoral student at Columbia University, Teachers College where she specializes in teaching printmaking as a form of harm reduction and prison diversion/re-entry.
Dre Grigoropol
Dre is an illustrator, painter, printmaker, and multimedia artist. Dre has a deep passion for arts and creativity, is involved in numerous artist groups, is a workshop leader, and has been a member of The Soapbox since 2014. Dre had organized the Philly Zine Fest for years before bringing the festival to The Soapbox, fulfilling the wish of the zine fest’s late founder, Casey, for the zine fest to become part of a non-profit. The festival’s popularity continues to grow and Dre continues to help organize it in a supportive role. Dre was also one of the key people responsible for the risograph coming to The Soapbox. The risograph has become one of the most popular presses and a main draw of new members to The Soapbox.
Jack Tobin-Gross
Jack is a multimedia illustrator. He studied at the Art Students League of New York, Minerva's Spring Studio, Alfred University, and MICA. He was a member of the now-defunct Con Artist Collective and has been printing at the Soapbox since 2021.
Peri Law
Peri Law is a printmaker and mixed media artist. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a BFA in studio art and art history. She is currently doing an AmeriCorps service year through ArtistYear as a teaching artist at an elementary school. Her artwork centers on vulnerability and explores the layers of her identity as a multiracial woman.
Karen Lowry
Karen is a printmaker, with recent explorations into papermaking and bookmaking. As a student of Public Health, she is interested in the use of art as a tool for community health and wellness. Karen believes that art-making and collaboration can allow us to engage with diverse identities and forge meaningful connections within our communities.
Erin Robin
Erin is the Chief Registrar at the Delaware Art Museum. She also is a printmaker and occasional papermaker.
Whitney Trettien
Whitney Trettien is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches courses on the history of the book, from cuneiform to hypertext. She’s written zines, digital poetry, and a monograph, Cut/Copy/Paste. She is interested in bringing together theory, scholarship, history, and practice.
