Leeds College of Art printmakers, who teach and contribute to the short course print programme at the College, have formed a Short Print Collective. The group aims to establish a platform to share ideas and expertise in a wide variety of printmaking processes.
Their first brief is an exciting one; they are taking part in this year’s 20:20 print exchange run by Hot Bed Press in Manchester.
20:20 print exchange is a large scale touring print exhibition showcasing the print work of over 600 artists participating this year, from 45 print workshops making a grand total of 15,000 prints! The Short Print Collective has just submitted their prints for the exchange. They have been working under the theme of ‘short’ using a wide range of print processes.
Image - Kirstie Williams
The idea of the print exchange is that every artist is asked to produce a new edition of 25 prints on paper size 20cm x 20cm, (paper size). In return each artist receives a box set of 20 randomly selected prints, (including their own print and 19 others).
Each workshop taking part also receives one set of randomly selected prints and one ‘twinned’ set whereby workshops are randomly matched to another print workshop, each receiving a set of 10 of their own members’ prints and one set of their ‘twinning partner workshop.
One print from every participant is kept by Hot Bed Press to exhibit/tour nationally. The Hot Bed Press prints are currently touring the UK and have so far toured from West Yorkshire Print Workshop, Gloucestershire Print Co-op, The Art House; Wakefield, The Print Shed; Hereford, and moves up to Hope House Prints in Leeds and the finally The Bluecoat in Liverpool.
Image - Andy Huggett
“Forming the Short Print Collective has been a great way for staff to share ideas and get stuck into a project. Entering the 20:20 Print Exchange is an exciting opportunity to receive prints from other makers and have our work exhibited on a touring exhibition in the UK. We hope to continue developing the collective and work towards new projects and exhibitions in the future.” Kirstie Williams, Print Workshop Technician at Leeds College of Art.
The group are already working on their next project, a collaboration with the print staff at Bristol School of Art. This is an exciting opportunity to work with other institutions.
The Short Print Collective is made up of the following people:- Kirstie Williams, Sharon Bainbridge, Mick Welbourn, Alex Gaites, Andy Huggett, Wendy Bannister, Laura Thompson, Claire Curtin, Pete Blagg, Sue Carter, Gareth Wadkin.
You can keep up to date with the Short Print Collective at https://www.facebook.com/shortprint