Print in Action festival brings Plymouth’s print community together

<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth is proud to play an active role in this year’s Print in Action, with a significant number of current students, graduates, lecturers and technicians contributing as exhibitors, workshop facilitators, and speakers.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Arts University Plymouth contributors at Print in Action 2025 include:</strong></p><ul><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ham_co_/"><strong>Suzanne Drummond</strong></a> – Printer, maker and MA graduate<a href="https://www.instagram.com/benchallen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><br /></a></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/benchallen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bench Allen</a></strong> – <a href="https://jealousgallery.com/">Jealous Gallery London</a>, Foundation Diploma in Art &amp; Design and BA (Hons) Illustration graduate<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/louhelenart/"><strong>Lou Holland</strong></a> – Artist, writer and BA (Hons) Illustration graduate<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gracebeswickart/"><strong>Grace Beswick</strong></a> – BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking graduate<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/zaralily_illustrates/"><strong>Zara McDermott</strong></a> – BA (Hons) Illustration graduate<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/rubypaint.tings/"><strong>Ruby Bradshaw</strong></a> – BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking student<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/samgoodwin92/?hl=en"><strong>Sam Goodwin</strong></a> – MA student<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/viki_starmore/"><strong>Viki Starmore</strong></a> – MA student<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bartonsprintroom/"><strong>Barton Hargreaves</strong></a> – Extended BA (Hons) Lecturer<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/suelewry/"><strong>Sue Lewry</strong></a> – Lecturer in BA (Hons) Graphic Design and MA Communication Design<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/holmesylogic/?hl=en"><strong>Matt Holmes</strong></a> – Fab Lab South West Technician<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>Asher Ross</strong> – current Graphic Design student</p></li></ul> <p dir="ltr">Their involvement showcases some of the breadth of expertise and innovation fostered at Arts University Plymouth, across traditional print processes and cutting-edge digital fabrication.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Ahead of the festival, Arts University Plymouth opened its specialist Fine Print Studio for a series of hands-on monoprint workshops led by celebrated printmaker <strong>Jemma Gunning</strong>. The public masterclass and exclusive student session provided participants with a rare opportunity to explore monoprinting as an expressive, experimental process, learning directly from one of the UK’s leading contemporary printmakers.</p> <p>Discover more about our support for <strong>Print in Action</strong> and the Jemma Gunning masterclasses <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-supports-print-in-action-with-jemma-gunning-masterclasses"><strong><u>here</u></strong></a>.</p>

<p>As part of the creative community at Arts University Plymouth, <strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/matt-holmes">Matt Holmes</a></strong>, printmaker, designer, and Fab Lab South West Technician, supports students across disciplines to explore the exciting intersections of heritage craft and digital innovation.</p> <p>Currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Plymouth, Matt’s research investigates how 3D printing and digital fabrication can preserve and enhance traditional letterpress processes. His hands-on practice includes restoring a 125-year-old printing press using CNC-machined and 3D-printed parts, a project he’ll be rebuilding live across the festival weekend at <strong>Print in Action</strong>, with the goal of fully reassembling the press on-site and, if possible, pulling its first print by Sunday night.</p> <p>Matt is also co-leading a <strong>large-scale mural workshop</strong> at the festival alongside printmaker <strong>Will Mower</strong>, using an oversized, 3D-printed version of the <strong>Blockface</strong> modular typography kit. Festival visitors will help create the mural by printing with these giant stamp-like components. Alongside this, Matt has curated a <strong>print trail</strong> around Ocean Studios, where attendees can print postcards at various stations using designs from Ocean Studios print residents and some of Matt’s own typography work.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whether you're an artist, designer, maker, or simply curious to explore, Print in Action is a celebration of creativity, connection, and craftsmanship. The festival is fully accessible and welcomes visitors of all ages, and even well-behaved dogs!</p> <p dir="ltr">Join the print community at <strong>Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard</strong>, on <strong>Saturday 26 April (10am–7pm)</strong> and <strong>Sunday 27 April (10am–4pm)</strong>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Click the button below to book your tickets today.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">If Print in Action inspires you to pursue printmaking further, Arts University Plymouth offers the perfect environment to develop your creative practice. Our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-painting-drawing-printmaking">BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking</a> course immerses students in a rich mix of traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques, from screenprinting and etching to letterpress and digital processes, all within our dedicated Fine Print Studio.</p> <p dir="ltr">Students benefit from practice-based learning, professional exhibition opportunities from their first year, and expert teaching from practising artists with national and international reputations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Find out more about how you can develop your skills in printmaking, drawing, and painting at Arts University Plymouth and explore your creative future.<br /></p>