Ulverston: Printfest 2025 set to take place next month

Withfour weeks to go, tickets are now on sale for the event, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the UK.

The festival officially kicks off on May 1 with an opening talk at the Laurel and Hardy Museum.

The Coro is set to welcome visitors to Printfest 2025 (Image: Supplied) The main exhibition will open on May 3 and 4 at The Coro in Ulverston.

Tickets, priced at £5, are available from the Printfest website and grant visitors access to exhibitions, workshops, and the opportunity to purchase artworks directly from the artists.

Sally Bamber, chair of Printfest, said: “Printfest has always been about more than just prints; it’s about the stories behind them, the artists who create them, and the transformative impact of art on our lives.

Visual Perception, a monotype by Johann Booyens (Image: Supplied) “This year’s theme, Art for Health, highlights the important role creativity plays in our well-being – whether through making, viewing, or discussing art.

“From the youngest budding artist to the most seasoned printmaker, art is a lifelong pursuit.

“It’s a companion through life’s highs and lows, a source of healing and inspiration – so I urge everyone to grab their tickets, if they haven’t already, and come and see what this unique festival has to offer.”

Chrysanthemum, a linocut by Aga Kubish (Image: Supplied) The festival will showcase a collection of artists, including seasoned professionals like Rachel Gracey, Printmaker of the Year, and Jemma Gunning, Printmakers’ Printmaker, as well as emerging talents such as Maya McMahon-Boon, Graduate Printmaker.

Ms Bamber added: “Whether you are an art collector, a curious newcomer, or a dedicated printmaker, Printfest 2025 offers something for everyone.

“Our practical workshops mean this year’s visitors can also get stuck in and have a go at different printmaking techniques themselves, from screenprint to linocut, monoprint to drypoint; and as part of our commitment to making the festival appealing and accessible to all, we will have designated Quiet Time slots for those who require a calmer environment.”

Flurry, an etching by Jane Gardiner (Image: Supplied) The festival also features a dedicated schools programme, which aims to showcase young talent.

A programme will be available for festival visitors, containing insights from leading figures, centred around the Art for Health theme.

Ronkey Bullard, co-founder of Printfest, will be there to talk about how art became a “sanctuary in the wake of personal loss, shaping the festival into the vibrant event it is today.”

Karel Jacobs of Canter Holland will speak of the “transformative power of creativity” in both professional and public spaces, while Rachel Gracey and Mychael Barratt, Printfest patron, will discuss the ways in which printmaking can “uplift and inspire,” from hospital walls to homes across the world.

For full details, to book tickets, workshop bookings, and more, visit www.printfest.uk.