Author: sheffieldprintmakers

Contact Jennie for more information. jennie@the strawfords.plus.com

2024 marks the tenth anniversary of Sheffield Printmakers. Our inaugural meeting took place on the first of April 2014 at the Rutland Arms on Brown Street in Sheffield.

In the previous year, one of the major inspirations for the creation of the group was an exhibition entitled ‘The Power of Print’ by Sheffield artist Leonard Beaumont, which ran at the Graves Gallery in Sheffield from December 2012 to September 2013.

Two other sources of inspiration came about through the effort of Sheffield Printmakers joining together to put on an exhibition and a fair.

In November 2012, several printmakers came together at the Workstation in Sheffield to exhibit their work, donate prints and raise funds for Water Aid. This exhibition was called ‘Waterprint’. The printmakers organising this very successful event were Peter York, Janet Beautyman, Sally Brooks, Josephine Pye and Anthea Stephenson. They all remain active members of Sheffield Printmakers in 2024.

In November 2013, a print fair was organised primarily by Janet Beautyman and Peter York. It was, again, a great success. The fair also raised funds for Water Aid and for St Mary’s Church in Sheffield, which was the venue.

After the success of the ‘Waterprint’ exhibition in 2012, the idea took hold to have a permanent organised group of like-minded printmakers, working together to promote printmaking in Sheffield. 2013 became a very busy year, as small groups of printmakers gathered together to discuss and plan the necessary actions and documentation needed for what became Sheffield Printmakers. An initial meeting designated ‘Future of Print’ took place on 20 March 2013 to discuss ideas and possibilities. Running print fairs and linked events, such as demonstrations and workshops was discussed, as were possible event venues and publicity matters. At a meeting in October, critical questions were asked: What do we want Sheffield Printmakers to be? What are our aims? Eventually, a constitution was written, a bank account opened and members were ready to commence operations in 2014. Peter York became Chair of the organisation and remained in this role until 2022. He still serves on the steering group today in the role of Artistic Advisor.

To celebrate our tenth anniversary in 2024, we are holding an exhibition at the Sock Gallery in Loughborough, once again on the theme of ‘Water’. The exhibition will run from 5 September to 13 October 2024.