Is the workshop really free?

Yes, the workshop is listed as free; materials are provided but bringing your own light-colored item is encouraged.

Do I need any experience?

No previous experience is required—educators teach carving and printing basics for beginners.

Can I bring my own fabric item to print on?

Yes—bring light-colored items such as tote bags or T-shirts; dark fabrics won’t show the provided black ink well.

What are the age limits?

The workshop is best suited for ages 13 and up due to the use of sharp cutting tools and required waivers.

Is the Environmental Education Center accessible?

Yes, the building at 99 Plymouth St is fully accessible; contact education@bbp.nyc for specific accommodations.

How many people attend each session?

Each session has 25 spots available and operates on a first-come, first-served basis; advanced registration is encouraged when available.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Lino Printing Workshop: Rubber Stamp Tote Class | Workshop | Events

At the edge of the East River in Brooklyn Bridge Park, a compact afternoon workshop transforms reclaimed industrial pier air into a working print studio. Art Under the Bridge: Rubber Stamp It! Low-Relief Lino Printing meets at the Environmental Education Center at 99 Plymouth St, Brooklyn NY, where educators guide beginners through carving a low-relief linoleum block and pulling bold prints onto fabric. The setting is unmistakably urban—views of the Manhattan skyline and the undersides of ferrying bridges leak light through classroom windows—so the resulting image feels like a handmade souvenir of a city waterfront.

The session lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes and is suitable for ages 13 and up. Participants learn how to design a simple motif, transfer it to stamp material, and use lino cutters safely (note: sharp tools require signed waivers). Instructors demonstrate carving techniques, ink mixing, and printing on fabric ink. All materials are provided and the workshop is free; you’re encouraged to bring a light-colored tote, T-shirt, or cloth item to print on. There are 25 spots available each session on a first-come, first-served basis, though advanced registration is encouraged when offered.

What makes this class special is how it connects hands-on craft to place. Brooklyn Bridge Park repurposes former shipping piers and shoreline space, and the Environmental Education Center sits within sight of piers, salt-tolerant grasses, and the bridge itself—so students often pull stamps that riff on bridges, boats, pigeons, and rippling water. The workshop is run by park educators, making it a small, community-centered offering rather than a tourist commodity. Practical details are visitor-friendly: the building is fully accessible, seating is on stools, and staff note there will be muted train noise from above.

Safety and logistics are straightforward: sign the waiver, wear clothing you don’t mind getting ink on, and bring only light-colored fabric for best contrast with the provided black ink. If you need accessibility accommodations, contact [email protected] ahead of time. For visitors, combine the class with a walk along the waterfront, a picnic at the piers, or photos of the bridge at sunset. It’s a low-cost, high-skill way to leave Brooklyn Bridge Park not just with a memory, but with an object you made yourself—a small, wearable keepsake that carries the texture of the river and the edge of the city.

Because the workshop is free and compact, it’s ideal for travelers with limited time who want a hands-on local experience. Bring an extra tote to gift, ask instructors about replicating techniques at home, and plan to arrive early to secure one of the 25 seats. Keep a small towel or wet wipes in your bag for ink cleanup—prints dry quickly but hands may be inky for a bit.