Two evening's of printmaking with Shannon Smith

The events were held online via Microsoft Teams, on the 3^rd of June 2021 at 6.30pm-8pm and on the 5^th of July 2021 at 6.30pm-8pm. 

Supported by the Centre for Doctoral Studies PGR Wellbeing Communities Fund the Learn to Lino event aimed to introduce postgraduate students to printmaking and provide the materials, equipment, and space to experiment with a new skill, free of charge! Places were limited and participants were enrolled on a first-come, first-serve basis.  

The Events

Prior to the event students were sent a variety of equipment including Lino sheets, block printing ink, and a Lino Cutter and Baren Tool. The event itself consisted of a 90-minute virtual workshop where participants were introduced to the practice of Lino printing. Firstly, Shannon presented work by a series of artists, which acted as inspiration for the template she provided. Then the process of Lino printing itself was explained and demonstrated through a hands-on interactive element of the session. With this new knowledge, students then had the opportunity to create artwork from the template provided by Shannon, making their own edits and experimenting with the different tools.

From this initial learning, the PGR students were then encouraged to create their own designs and to share their experimentations with the group.

The workshops provided an opportunity for PGR students to connect over the development of a new skill and practice of a cathartic exercise, which hopefully positively impacted their wellbeing. The resources and equipment sent to students are theirs to keep and will enable them to continue to develop their lino printing.

It is hoped that these workshops will become part of a wider series, set to be organised for September.