Venice High’s Super Shop 9 will hold an Open House for it’s brand new, state-of-the-art, high-tech Graphic Communications & Printing Facility on Friday, April 13 from 3 – 6 pm and Saturday, April 14 from 9 am - noon. Principal, Dr. Elsa Mendoza and instructor, Art Lindauer invite the Westside community to visit the new facility. Because he was instrumental in the funding acquisition, former Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been invited to attend.

Super Shop 9 has been home to the Venice High School’s Graphic Communications program since its inception in 1956. The curriculum focuses on graphic design, as well as on sheet-fed offset, digital and screen printing. The program also affords beginning students an introduction to the printing industry and provides instruction in safety, job preparation, tool and machine usage. Second and third year students undertake more advanced work, and are invited to enter student competitions and apply for college scholarships. The shop’s “Super” nickname was the inspiration of former instructor Jerry Greene, who felt that it gave students a sense of pride both in the shop and in their accomplishments. The Graphic Communications program has been a fixture of the curriculum at VHS since it opened in 1911.

Until recently, Super Shop 9 had seen its mission increasingly hampered by a non-automated equipment lineup dating to the 1970s. Concerned, its current and longtime Graphic Communications instructor, Art Lindauer, applied for and won a $1.5 million Prop 1D grant from the state of California in 2006, then lobbied for another five years—with the support of parents, community, the Printing Industries Association of Southern California and some private industry contacts—to procure matching funds from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Lindauer has since applied those funds to a major overhaul of the Super Shop 9 facility, complete with multiple pre-press, press, and post-press installations. Some of the new equipment include; 2-color and 4-color sheet-fed offset presses with prepress computer to plate system and post-press cutter and folders from Heidelberg, bookletmaker from Duplo, 14-color screen printing press, dryers, exposure units, reclamation systems and heat presses from M & R and other vendors, large format digital printer from Roland along with assorted bindery, finishing and safety equipment. A total of 48 pieces of new state-of-the-art equipment were purchased.

In new construction; windows, shades, restrooms, electrical, fire sprinklers, flooring and cabinetry have been installed. And to facilitate learning, a 65” HD TV with touch-screen capabilities. Lindauer, along with many industry and educational personnel, believe it will be the, “best equipped high school graphic communications program west of the Mississippi”.

Lindauer is proud to introduce his students to the marvels of modern print production, including automatic plate-changing and one-pass productivity. Part of the pleasure, he acknowledges, will be acquainting them with state-of-the-art technology they’ll likely encounter when applying for jobs after graduation. “Being able to train on cutting-edge equipment well positions our students with perspective employers as well as enter universities for printing management careers,” Lindauer said, adding, “The Graphic Communications / Printing is the only industry I know where you are able to earn a good salary no matter what level of education you have. We always push for higher education and many of our students enter community colleges or universities, however those students who choose going directly to work after graduation will also find a good paying and rewarding career.”

The main focus of Super Shop 9 is education, Lindauer explained, noting that of the estimated 300 students he teaches each year in the beginning classes, between 20 and 30 return to take the advanced class, which focuses on operator training. Secondarily, the facility functions as the in-house print shop for VHS, as well as for community members and alumni.

The shop’s old equipment already has been donated to the International Printing Museum in Carson, CA.

Venice High School is located at 13000 Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles. Parking available off Walgrove Avenue between Venice and Zanja. For more information: [email protected] or call Art Lindauer at 310-577-4260.

As we go to press: Shockingly, instructor, Mr. Art Lindauer, as well as many other District employees, received a “lay off” notice from the Los Angeles Unified School District on March 14th that will close the doors to this incredible facility three months after it opens. To voice your opposition to this decision contact LAUSD Superintendent, Dr. John E. Deasy, and Human Resources at: [email protected] and [email protected].