About
2024 Printmaking Competition showcasing the very best in printmaking – Applications close Midnight 30th June 2024
Attention UK Printmakers! The Ironbridge Fine Arts 2024 Printmaking Competition is here.
Submit up to 6 pieces of your work for a chance to:
- Win a Gunning Printing Press and numerous other prizes (Over £7000 worth see below)
- Receive recognition from prominent industry figures
- All successful applicants will be showcased in a 10-week exhibition
- Artwork will be available to purchase both online and in the Gallery
- Be part of a vibrant printmaking community
- Engage with new audiences and gain exposure
- Attend an exclusive private viewing featuring live talks and demonstrations
- Students will enjoy discounted entries and 5 x lucky students will have their work framed for free by Ironbridge Fine Arts, moulding, and invisible Art Glass courtesy of Centrado Trading’s sponsorship.
Our Annual Printmaking Competition illuminates the diverse spectrum of printmaking techniques, encompassing both traditional and contemporary methods, and provides a platform to honor and celebrate excellence in printmaking today. Successful applicants will be featured in a 10-week Exhibition, hosted both physically at our gallery located in the Ironbridge UNESCO World Heritage site as well as included in a virtual exhibition.
We welcome submissions from Printmakers across the United Kingdom, and we are delighted to announce that submissions are now open. Prior to submitting your application, please review our terms and conditions.
Awards, prizes and Sponsors
A judging panel will select all successful artwork for the physical exhibition in September 2024 held at Ironbridge Fine Arts Gallery within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge. Competition winners will be announced during the exhibition opening held on the 7th of September. Scroll through to see all our amazing sponsors and prizes…
A huge thank you to all our sponsors for your support and prizes! We are so delighted to work with you and include you in this exciting venture!
How to enter
The entry fee is £20 per artwork
Student and Under 25’s entries £15.00 per artwork
Criteria: Any printmaking process with a maximum framed size 70 x 70cm
All applications must be completed prior to Mindight 30th June 2024
Please read terms and conditions prior to entering
Key Dates
Online applications close – Midnight 30th June 2024
Announcement of work chosen for the exhibition – 12th July 2024
Hand in of works for exhibition – 30th and 31st August – 10 am to 4 pm at Ironbridge Fine Arts, Shropshire, TF8 7NJ
Private View with Announcement of Prizes Winners – 7th September 5 pm till 8 pm
Exhibition open to public – 8th September till 16th November
Collection of work – Between 22nd to 23rd November during gallery opening hours 10 am till 4 pm
About the Application Process
There are three stages to the application process:
- Submit your application to the OLIST Site.
- Successful applicants will be chosen and included in a 10-week virtual and physical exhibition at our beautiful gallery located in the Ironbridge UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Prizes will be awarded at the exhibition opening evening to winning printmakers.
What types of Printmaking can be submitted?
Submissions of work are invited Printmakers throughout the United Kingdom working in Woodcut, Wood Engraving, Drypoint, Collagraph, Aquatint, Monotype, Etching, Lithograph, Screen Print, Photogravure, Linocut, Mezzotint, Viscosity Printing, Jelly Printing and Cyanotype.
Communication
All communication will be by email or via the online OLIST login process. Applicants will be required to log in to the OLIST after the 12th July 2024 to see if they have been selected for the exhibition and will be asked to download and print their application details to be delivered with the artwork. Failure to do so could result in work being withdrawn from the exhibition.
Terms and Conditions, Hints and Tips
View our 2023 Printmaking Competition Exhibition
Last years Competion Prize Winners (2023)
Dave Gunning writes below about each of the Winners and why their work was chosen..
Gunning Etching Press Prize Winner
‘The Bull Of Iffley’ by Wayne Longhurst
‘One of the most fabulous reduction lino’s I have ever seen. The dynamic presence all the artist’s work in the exhibition knocks the viewer sideways. The depth created in the work is outstanding and the use of colour is second to none.’
Ironbridge Fine Arts Prize
‘Red Mask’ by Katya Timoshenko ARE
“A very captivating Aquatint etching work. The choice of colour and the execution of the print is spell bounding. What an image. Strong, vibrant, the power of the work vibrates through the gallery. I can’t wait to see more of this”.
Ironbridge Fine Arts Prize Winner
‘The Faux Dodo’ by Faith Chevannes
“What an image, it’s so happy. Another work in this exhibition that hits you in the heart. Well executed and a lovely work that you could look at that brings a smile to your face.” Dave Gunning
Ironbridge Fine Arts Prize
‘Central’ by Emma Bowater
“This Photogravure print is gritty in feeling. It captures for me the feeling you get when visiting areas of post war decay. Buildings that are lost in time. Images of decaying brickwork and old signs forgotten and from another place in history. Great print, can’t wait to see more.” Dave Gunning
AW Hainsworth Prize Winner
‘Ay up we’re avin us photo took’ by John Martin
“A mixed media lino cut with much character. The imagery is strong and depicts a lost time very well.” Dave Gunning
AW Hainsworth Prize Winner
‘Lace Mill’ by Karen Wicks
“A wonderfull collograph capturing the austere quality of lace mill. A well-executed print.” Dave Gunning
AW Hainsworth Prizes
‘Forest Mother’ by Elizabete Kozlovska RA
“A spell binding work with many interesting twists and turns. The Pagan connections in this lino print and the simplicity of technique hold the viewer’s attention to look, go away, and try to find out more about the symbolism crying out in this very strong artwork.” Dave Gunning
WR Davies Toyota Prize Winner
Geri Waddington ‘Artichoke’
“A beautiful work executed using Resingrave. The technique is unforgiving and very difficult to execute. Magic design, unforgettable, beautiful work.” Dave Gunning
John Purcell Paper Prize
Georgina Fay ‘ They gave back what they took away’
A lovely combination of etching techniques. The Aquatint is super combined with the photo etching. The imagery is finely drawn and provokes thought and love about our ancestors who existed at that ancient time.
Permajet Prize
Christine Watson PS ‘ Steps up Syros’
A great little body of work. The Mezzotint is superbly executed. The subject matter entirely suits the technique, but there is a lot more in these works.
The richness of the tones, the atmosphere which takes the viewer to a romantic set of places. The secret spaces fascinate and mystify the viewer. Great work!
Cranfield Prize
‘Steps Up, Syros’ Christine Watson
“Another lovely combination of etching techniques by Christine. The softness and incredible use of tone leaves the viewer spell-bound by her work”. Dave Gunning
Essdee Prize Winner
‘Dahlia’ by Natalie Pymm
“A lovely colourful Lino reduction print. The composition is very forceful, captivating and superbly executed.” Dave Gunning
Essdee Prize Winner
‘Ontop of the World’ by Gilly Woodhead
“A beautiful and happy Reduction Lino print. The image of the bee in stunning and the technique is faultless. I have been so impressed with everything about this print. When a print makes you smile it has a magic about it which we all must hang on to because Reduction Linos like this don’t come along very often!” Dave Gunning
Pressing Matters Prize Winner
‘No Home No Bone’ by Kate Alger
“A wonderful image. Dogs make us all happy and this monotype does that. Well executed and full of character. I love the use of space around the dog.” Dave Gunning
Anglo Prize Winner
‘Chopper’ by Dave Baines
“What a super screen print. I have thought about this print more than any other because it sticks in your mind. It speaks about today and yet takes us back to the past. The bombers scare the pants of me but the chopper bike smooths everything over and makes me feel home and safe.” Dave Gunning
Celo Press Prize Winner
‘Precious’ by Julia Timmins
“An incredibly executed piece of wood engraving. Mesmerizing is the word. One could look at this forever and still keep looking.” Dave Gunning
Celo Press Prize Winner
‘Early Morning at the Old House, Malvern’ by Moira McTaigue
“This is a very well-made group of Aquatint etchings. The precision of the plates makes for a well-balanced print. The care in the choice of imagery makes for a feast of looking into the different prints. The atmosphere created holds the viewers’ attention and one gets the feeling of the artist’s true oneness with the objects, and sense of place.” Dave Gunning
