Ulverston, UK – Tuesday 26 November – Printfest, the UK’s leading artist-led festival, has named Rachel Gracey Printmaker of the Year 2025.
Surrey-born Gracey, who trained at Wimbledon School of Art, is renowned for her powerful landscapes and seascapes and is recognised for her desire to go beyond mere observation and her commitment to ‘explore and reveal the unseen’.
As Printfest Printmaker of the Year, Gracey will be on the Selection Committee panel in January along with two further guest judges and the Printfest team. She will also open the festival with a dedicated talk about her works.
Talking of her new title, Rachel Gracey said: “I am honoured and delighted to be offered this prestigious award.
“Printfest has held such a beacon for all that is fantastic about printmaking. It will be fascinating to have time looking through and admiring a full range of printmakers work and then collaborating with the judges in choosing key individuals for the show in May. There is such a strong and dynamic use of printmaking now and I look forward to celebrating this at Printfest.”
She recently visited Ulverston and took advantage of the changes in season to gain inspiration for a series of prints that she hopes will capture the ‘majesty of the area’.
Printfest returns to the Coro in Ulverston between 1st – 4th May 2025 when the public will get the chance to explore exhibitions and purchase quality affordable artworks direct from the artists, while learning more about the art of printmaking.
Printfest Chair Sally Bamber said: “We are delighted to award Rachel with this prestigious title and we look forward to working closely with her as our plans for Printfest 2025 take shape.
“As preparations get underway, applications are now open to artists – of any stage of practice and from anywhere in the world – who may wish to have a stand.”
Applications close on 7 January 2025. To apply or for more information, please visit: www.printfest.uk
