There’s something about the road, about packing up a 40-foot container full of type, ink, and possibility, and rolling it into towns where creativity waits just beneath the surface. From Mackay to Rockhampton, Moveable Type Studio didn’t just bring letterpress to the people, we brought a spark. This is a story of connection, community, and the kind of art that leaves ink on your fingers and warmth in your chest.
Clint Harvey – August 2025
In July 2025, Moveable Type Studio (MTS) launched its first regional Queensland tour, made possible by the Flying Arts Alliance, the Regional Arts Fund, and our generous host, Artspace Mackay. This inaugural residency marked a milestone in our mission to bring the tactile, historic, and community-building practice of letterpress printing to regional and remote audiences.
Our arrival in Mackay aligned perfectly with two major book arts events, the Libris Awards and the ABBE (Artist Book Conference and Book Fair). Artspace Mackay was buzzing with national and local creative energy, and the freshly refurbished MTS container, repainted, reimagined, and ready, was primed to engage both seasoned book artists and curious newcomers.
I am grateful to have studied design during an era where the craft was deeply respected. The absence of instant digital creations allowed for the development of unique, emotionally resonant pieces. Thank you to Clint of Moveable Type Studio for sharing his expertise with our region.
Jody Lee Euler – Redhotblue Creative Agency
Getting the Beast Ready
In the lead-up to the residency, we transformed the MTS container at The Paint Factory in Yeronga (Brisbane). Gone was the weathered purple paint, replaced with a sleek matte black finish that gave the container a bold new presence. This wasn’t just a facelift; it was a statement, breathing new life into something industrial and aged, making it relevant again.
To amplify its personality, we collaborated with Brisbane-based sign painter Jason, whose fluoro, fruit-shop-inspired signage added wit, colour, and charm. These hand-painted signs traveled inside the container and were reassembled on-site, ensuring MTS radiated the same playful energy that defines the printmaking experience.
Rolling into Mackay
On a cool Monday evening, the container was loaded onto a semi-trailer side-loader and began its journey north. Twelve hours and countless bumps later, it arrived at Artspace Mackay. I (Clint), along with Dzintra and Robert Heather, flew in late Tuesday night, buzzing with anticipation. Even the taxi ride from the airport sparked recognition, local residents had already heard about the workshops and were excited. MTS was already making waves.
By 4:30am Wednesday, I was pacing the carpark of Artspace Mackay, nerves high. The container arrived battle-scarred but structurally sound. Our original plan to install it on the grass near the gallery was thwarted by wet ground, so with the guidance (and understandable anxiety) of Artspace Director Tracy Heathwood, we repositioned to a more stable spot in the carpark. With a bit of charm and quick action, we made it work.
Print, Pour, and Play
Friday night marked our public opening with the signature “Ink & Drink” event. Around 30–40 guests, many in town for ABBE and the Libris Awards, joined us for casual printing, conversation, and drinks. We showcased traditional wood type and laser-engraved relief plates designed by Ron Monier and produced at The Edge Makerspace, State Library of Queensland.
The energy was electric. Dzintra and I sang and danced (figuratively and occasionally literally) as guests pulled prints, got inky fingers, and reconnected with the physicality of type. It wasn’t just a demo, it was a celebration of curiosity and participation.
Workshops and Awards Night
Saturday was packed with public workshops. We ran three sessions for a diverse crowd—families, regional makers, and curious passersby. A standout moment came from a Fancy Kransky sausage maker from Bowen, who saw parallels between his craft and ours: both require care, patience, and a love for the handmade.
Later, Sean from Primal Coffee Mackay dropped by, pulled a few proofs, and shared insights on slowing down, whether roasting beans or setting type. These conversations affirmed why MTS travels: to connect practices, affirm values, and make art accessible.
That evening, we attended the Libris Awards opening. With 150 attendees, it was a celebration of artists’ books from across Australia. The gallery was stunning, the works inspiring, and the speeches heartfelt. Artspace Director Tracy Heathwood honoured Robert Heather, whose legacy, founding Printbank Mackay and the Libris Awards, added deep resonance to our presence.
Hands in the Ink
Sunday shifted to structured, three-hour workshops. We hosted two sessions with eight participants each, diving into both traditional and contemporary letterpress techniques.
Using magnets on the bed of our FAG 405 Swiss proof press, we bypassed chases for faster setup while maintaining tactile engagement. Participants worked with wood type and Ron Monier’s laser-engraved collage plates, producing limited-edition prints and gaining a deeper appreciation for the process.
Legacy Meets Letterpress
Our final day in Mackay was devoted to a special workshop with Printbank Mackay, the artist collective founded by Robert Heather 19 years ago. With generous support from Traci Lietzke—former president and a driving force behind the group—we welcomed eight members for a full-day poster-making session. Most were seasoned relief printers, but for many, this was their first encounter with movable type.
Together, we explored the fundamentals: type measurement, font families, and collaborative layout strategies (a.k.a. ‘design via committee’). Working with a rich mix of Italian, French, and American wood type, the group designed and printed two-colour posters using layered overprinting techniques. The make-ready process was meticulous and hands-on, but the results—12 limited-edition prints—spoke volumes. Each piece was a testament to shared effort, creative curiosity, and a deepening appreciation for the legacy of letterpress.
When the Hinges Give Way
Just as we caught our breath, the container reminded us of its wild side. After four days of heavy use, the fold-down door hinges gave out. Tuesday became a scramble to find a welder. An on-site fix failed, so we secured the door and arranged repairs in Rockhampton before our next stop: the Rockhampton River Festival.
This studio isn’t just a space, it’s a 40-foot beast that travels, weathers the road, and occasionally bites back. But the reward? Unforgettable engagement, powerful conversations, and deep connections with regional creatives.
What Mackay Gave Us
Mackay gave us everything we hoped for: visibility, impact, dialogue, and collaboration. The community embraced MTS with warmth and curiosity. Artspace Mackay welcomed us wholeheartedly. And the legacy of Robert Heather added rich layers of meaning.
MTS is about slowing down, honouring the process, and making space for creativity in communities often overlooked. Mackay proved that a shipping container full of type can create far more than prints, it creates connection.