UH SCHOOL OF ART ALUM TURNS HER PASSION FOR PRINTMAKING INTO A CREATIVE SANCTUARY FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON
For Lauren Christlieb, a University of Houston School of Art alumna, the journey to opening Red Bird Press was unexpected, filled with challenges, and entirely transformative. Having completed her master’s degree in fine arts, she initially pursued a teaching role and positions in community relations before joining Pella Windows and Doors as a sales representative. Now, she’s taking on a role that combines her passion for printmaking with her entrepreneurial spirit.
Christlieb's path to Red Bird Press began when the Houston Printing Museum closed its doors. Aware of the impending loss to the local arts community, Christlieb and Jessica Snow, then the museum’s studio manager, rallied to save the equipment. Together, they proposed preserving the collection for public access rather than letting it be auctioned into private hands.
“I knew it was a long shot, but I figured at the very least, it would be a good exercise in writing a proposal. Then, out of the blue, Jessica called me late one Monday night around 8:00 PM. She told me, ‘Hey, the proposal was accepted, but we have to move all the equipment out by Friday.’ We had to act fast, so we put everything into storage until we could secure the right space.
A few months later, we found what seemed like the perfect spot. Initially, we were just checking places to get a sense of rent costs, but this space couldn’t have been better—it had parking, air conditioning, and was right next to a Houston favorite, Bohemeo's. The area felt like a natural creative hub,” said Christlieb.
The studio now hosts “Ink & Drink” events that introduce the community to the basics of printmaking over drinks and snacks. "It’s like a casual introduction to letterpress," said Christlieb. “We use 100-year-old wood type, and guests get to pull prints with their own designs. It’s social, relaxed, and everyone gets a chance to make something unique while learning a bit about the craft.”
Red Bird Press, fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, is designed to serve more than casual printmakers. Christlieb plans to offer a membership model, allowing artists to access equipment, along with community classes in letterpress, typesetting, and alternative processes like cyanotypes and bookbinding. “We’re also creating a space where different organizations can hold meetings,” she explained. “The Book Arts Guild, for instance, has already used it, and artist collectives or similar groups are welcome to meet here as well.”
As Red Bird Press continues to grow, Christlieb reflects on the unexpected path that led her to this moment. What began as a desperate bid to preserve Houston’s printing history has blossomed into a thriving space for artists and the community.
“When this opportunity first came up, I thought, wow, this sounds incredible—but also like a lot to take on. At the time, my mom had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment, and I remember thinking that maybe this was exactly what I needed to keep my mind off things. Now, my mom is cancer-free and has completed all her treatments, but honestly, that uncertainty and challenge was one of the big reasons I decided to go for it.”
Christlieb is quick to point out that none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of the community and the incredible team of people who have helped her along the way. “I couldn’t have done any of this alone. My board—Rekha Basra, Liz Gates, Manny Lewis, Gabe Martinez, and Hannah Oakie—has been invaluable, along with Hailey Lima, who designed our branding. And of course, Jessica Snow and Brian Hodge with the Printing Museum were integral to making this happen. It’s really a collective effort,” she said.
“This had always been the dream, ever since I fell in love with printmaking in grad school. After learning from, and then teaching with my mentor, Patrick Masterson, I dreamed of running a community shop. I still can’t believe it—sometimes it feels surreal. It’s like I won the printmaking lottery; you know?”
Looking ahead, Christlieb is excited to see how Red Bird Press continues to evolve, with plans to expand its programs and offerings while remaining a cornerstone for Houston’s artistic community. For her, the journey is just beginning.
You can explore events and learn more by visiting Red Bird Press online.
Images from the grand opening of Red Bird Press.
Images from the grand opening of Red Bird Press.
Images from the grand opening of Red Bird Press.
Images from the grand opening of Red Bird Press.
Images from the grand opening of Red Bird Press.
Images from the grand opening of Red Bird Press.
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