The Symposium was very well attended, with 60 participants sitting and soaking up words of wisdom from the expert speakers. The four speakers discussed the past, present and potential future of printmaking. The past was offered by Stanley Jones of the Curwen Studio, who spoke about the starting up of the Curwen up to the present day; his talk was continued by Tom Martin who showed more recent prints and explained some new techniques developed at the Curwen. The present was continued by Paul Croft who discussed the recent developments in West Wales, and finally in the afternoon, Richard Noyce took the discussion forwards, with his vision of the new ecology of printmaking. All of these talks the importance of Collaboration albeit in different ways:- between editioners and artists, between studios and workshops both Nationally and Internationally, and also stressing the importance of getting good work out there and stretching boundaries. Supporting the symposium were three “print” related experts, John Purcell of Purcell papers who bought along a range of fabulous papers and books; Barry from Hawthorn Inks who showed a range of inks, rollers and a press; and Sue Crossley, bookbinder and archivist who bought along a range of beautifully bound books. The day was completed by a great lunch and cakes for tea!

The Festival was promoted using a variety of media. Andy Lovell and Tricia Henry went on Stroud FM to choose their favourite records and discuss the Festival and their own printmaking. An amusing hour was spent rambling through personal choices and artistic visions.

After a light lunch in the museum, a full house watched and listened as Kevin Crossley Holland and Norman Ackroyd sat in the courtyard of the Museum in the Park and chatted through their collaboration on “The Moored Man”, an evocation of North Norfolk in poetry and pictures. The book contains Norman’s wonderfully atmospheric etchings and watercolours, and Kevin’s wonderfully evocative poetry. The books are available at the Museum.

Norman Ackroyd alternatively amazed, intrigued and informed his audience working in the bandstand of the Museum in the Park on Sunday morning. The weather was good, and even “knowledgeable” and experienced printmakers learnt a lot. Norman took three plates through to a printable condition, drawing with acid onto prepared aquatinted zinc plates. He was amusing and inspiring – we can hardly wait to get out there and have a try although it is not likely to be as easy as he made it seem – his concerns that he will end up with stiff competition in the atmospheric and beautiful landscapes he produces may be whimsical but – you never know!

The launch of the National Printmaking Exhibition was very well attended on Saturday evening at the Sub Rooms in Stroud. The room was buzzing with compliments over the exceptional level of professionalism and artistic ability demonstrated in the room. This exhibition is a coup for Stroud and for Gloucestershire. Well worth seeing, an exhibition you can visit several times and get to know more and more. It is beautifully hung with a room within a room. The Festival was launched by Christopher Blackstone and the Exhibition was introduced by Sue Drennen, administrator of the GPC.  A prize for best “piece” in the exhibition was won by Lucy Orchard, awarded by John Purcell of Purcell Papers.

The countdown to Impress’09 started with a bang at the launch PV of Pre Impress’09 at Cheltenham Art Gallery

Tricia Henry opened the proceedings with a rally to arms for printmakers.

We all then went through to the gallery to see a fantastically varied show of printmaking by members of GPC.

The show has been curated by Carlos Ordinez (lurking in the background)

Etching, lithography, screenprint, linocut, monoprint, wood engraving among other processes were all on show and many complementary comments were heard from the 40 -50 people present.