The Coro in Ulverston came alive once again when it hosted another buzzing Printfest, with over 2000 people visiting one of the UK’s largest print festivals.
The theme of this year’s event was ‘Art for Health’ – highlighting how getting involved in art can be beneficial to your health – which was demonstrated throughout the five-day festival.
Artists from all corners of the country travelled to Ulverston to take part and in addition to experiencing exhibits and talking to artists, visitors also got the opportunity to try their hand at a new art form.
This year, 50 participants experienced printmaking workshops whilst the public had access to view and talk to 44 artists, sharing their knowledge, passion, and techniques.
Twenty local schools also got on board with the Schools Programme, with Printfest running workshops in schools for both pupils and teachers. The works produced from these sessions impressed the Printfest team, with the Young Printmaker of the Year Awards going to Asya, age 15, from Ulverston Victoria High School and Memed, age 9, from St George’s Primary School in Barrow.
All of the students’ artwork is proudly displayed in the corridors and stairways of the Coro until the 17th May.
This year, Printfest presented a new ‘Graduate Award’ to help a new graduate printmaker launch their career. This was won by Maya McMahon-Boon who received a free stand, accommodation and mentoring by two past Printmakers of the Year.
Anja Percival, who is a familiar face at Printfest having exhibited for 15 years, left this year’s event with both the Haigh Award and the special ‘Visitors Choice’ Award, sponsored by James Cropper Plc, and voted for by the public; while Aga Kubish was delighted to be named ‘Printmakers’ Printmaker’ after her peers voted for her work during the festival.
Sally Bamber, Chair of Printfest, said: “This year’s Printfest was another storming success thanks to the incredible artists, visitors and wonderful members of our community who come together to stage such a unique event.
“Such a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to pull this together and it’s hard to describe the effort that our incredible artists put in all year round to prepare – so it is wonderful to see it all pay off!
“There was a real buzz around Ulverston thanks to the thousands of visitors who came to see us, and everyone left with a smile on their face – proving printmaking really does offer something for everyone.”
It was also another very healthy year for print purchases, with more than 200 pieces sold.
During the event, a stream of further awards were handed out to artists including Sarah de Feu who won the Zillah Bell Award and the Printmakers of Scotland Award; Angela Hall who won the Pressing Matters Award and Louisa Boyd was presented with the Kunstprenteverket Award; Blaze Cyan was the recipient of the Kunstprenteverket Best Newcomer Award; Johann Booyens won the Ironbridge Award; Rachel Gracey won the Hawthorn Award; Mark Wheatley received the Handprinted Award; Polly Matrix Evans scooped the Founders Award; Laura MacLennan received the Essdee Award; Maya McMahon-Boon was also handed the first prize in the Cranfield Award with Alison Diamond winning second prize; Hester Cox received the Chris Benefield Memorial Award, while Kelly Stewart was presented with the Awagami Award.
For more information about Printfest visit: https://printfest.uk/
