Printfest 2025 is gearing up to welcome art lovers, collectors, and print enthusiasts back to Ulverston for another extraordinary celebration of printmaking.
With just four weeks to go, tickets are now on sale and preparations are well underway for the highly anticipated event which is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the UK.
Officially commencing on 1st May with an opening talk at the Laurel and Hardy Museum, Printfest’s series of events culminates in the opening of the main exhibition on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May 2025 at The Coro in Ulverston. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Printfest website (www.printfest.uk), offering visitors the chance to explore exhibitions, participate in workshops and purchase quality affordable artworks direct from the artists, while learning more about the art of printmaking.
“Printfest has always been about more than just prints; it’s about the stories behind them, the artists who create them, and the transformative impact of art on our lives,” Sally Bamber, Chair of Printfest explains. “This year’s theme, Art for Health, highlights the important role creativity plays in our well-being – whether through making, viewing, or discussing art. From the youngest budding artist to the most seasoned printmaker, art is a lifelong pursuit. It’s a companion through life’s highs and lows, a source of healing and inspiration – so I urge everyone to grab their tickets, if they haven’t already, and come and see what this unique festival has to offer.”
This year, an outstanding collection of artists will be showcased, from seasoned professionals like Printmaker of the Year, Rachel Gracey, and Printmakers’ Printmaker, Jemma Gunning – freshly returned from a residency in Venice – to emerging talents such as Graduate Printmaker Maya McMahon-Boon.
“Whether you are an art collector, a curious newcomer, or a dedicated printmaker, Printfest 2025 offers something for everyone,” Sally Bamber continues. “Our practical workshops mean this year’s visitors can also get stuck in and have a go at different printmaking techniques themselves, from screenprint to linocut, monoprint to drypoint; and as part of our commitment to making the festival appealing and accessible to all, we will have designated Quiet Time slots for those who require a calmer environment.”
There is also a dedicated schools programme showcasing young talent as part of the festival’s ongoing mission to make printmaking an approachable and enriching experience for all.
A programme will be available for festival visitors containing insights from leading figures, centred around the Art for Health theme. Printfest co-founder Ronkey Bullard shares a moving reflection on how art became a sanctuary in the wake of personal loss, shaping the festival into the vibrant event it is today. Karel Jacobs of Canter Holland speaks of the transformative power of creativity in both professional and public spaces, while Rachel Gracey and Printfest patron Mychael Barratt discuss the ways in which printmaking can uplift and inspire, from hospital walls to homes across the world.
For full details, to book tickets, workshop bookings, and more, visit www.printfest.uk.
