THE historic setting of Somerset Rural Life Museum at Glastonbury, with the ancient tithe barn, is the setting for a showcase of artwork by 13 printmakers living and working in Somerset, from 25th May to 1st September.
Somerset Printmakers are a group of professional artists dedicated to creating original prints and pushing the boundaries of what printmaking can be. They will be displaying monoprints and limited editions prints inspired by the county, employing different styles and techniques.
Artist Sebastian Chance says: “Somerset has a fantastically diverse art scene. We feel privileged to be showing at the museum, which is such an important venue regionally and locally.”
Somerset Printmakers was formed in 1998 by a group of professional artists whose practice spans traditional and experimental methods. The exhibition will feature artworks for sale alongside preparatory drawings that illuminate the creative process behind the works. Featured artists are: Cath Bloomfield, Sebastian Chance, Pennie Elfick, Susan Gradwell, Jenny Graham, Sally Hebeler, Paul Holding, Sue Lowe, Stéphanie Max, Gail Mason, Lucy Rodgers, Sarah Ward and Lisa Takahashi.
Exhibitions manager Sarah Cox says: “The exhibition aims to be an inclusive way of accessing heritage and culture while celebrating printmaking as fine art. Each artist has their own unique approach to printmaking and the exhibition will showcase some of the county’s most innovative contemporary printmaking.”
During May half term, 25th May to 2nd June, there will be creative activities available for families to experience printmaking themselves. From Monday to Friday children can discover a different printing technique each day and on Saturday and Sunday they can use stencils to create an artwork inspired by the exhibition.
Throughout the exhibition there will also be opportunities to speak to the artists about their work, including a Meet the Artists event on Sunday 16th June.
Pictured: Sally Hebeler, Rooks, monotype; Sarah Ward, Fire, Earth, Totem, screen-print on handmade paper; Sebastian Chance, Thicket 1, mono relief (lino) print.