Biography

I have been involved with running open access print workshops since 1999 and for the past 7 years have helped develop Hot Bed Press in Salford into the largest print workshop in the north west of England. I compiled the Directory of Print Workshops, (UK and world), published in 2008 by A & C Black, and am involved in The National Forum For The Future of Printmaking in the UK. In 2009 I initiated the 20:20 Print Exchange run by Hot Bed Press, which last year involved 390 artists from 31 print workshops producing 9,000 prints. 

Poster Presentation

Print Workshops and the Future of Printmaking in the UK
Open access print workshops have evolved over the past decade to be the biggest support network for printmakers in the UK. With the sad decline or downscaling of some university print departments artists are turning more and more to open access workshops to fill the breach, to educate, support and promote printmaking and printmakers. Unlike other countries such as Sweden, and America the UK does not have an official network or association and there is no one place for people to find out about where to learn and practice printmaking. Now is the time to step up to the mark. Now is the time to be counted and be counted upon.