News

Family printing

Alan Birch introduced families to the technique of engraving at The Whitaker. Using the work of Liam Spencer as a starting point, children and adults produced drawings which they later turned into prints. Everyone produced some amazing prints and it was good to see parents take the challenge on board, especially dads! During the day, […]

Pop Prints.

Year 5 pupils from Our Lady &St Anselm’s RC Primary School in Waterfoot produced some excellent engravings with artist Alan Birch. Inspired by Pop Art paintings, pupils created their own drawings, made engravings and printed their work on a portable press. Collage and text were also added to enhance the works.

Year 9 prints

Year 9 and Year 11 students from Hathershaw College spent a half day working with printmaker Alan Birch. Pupils used the day to enhance their coursework, working on engravings and collage prints. For many this was their first attempt at printing and great results were produced.

Landmark prints

Year 3 pupils from Constable Lee Primary School in Rawtenstall spent a creative day working with artist Alan Birch at The Whitaker. Pupils made pencil drawings of local landmarks and then engraved their works onto card plates. They then inked their own plates using water based inks, prior to printing them on a portable printing […]

Denton GCSE pupils print.

GCSE pupils from Denton Community College spent the day at the Whitworth exploring the work of Althea McNeish . The split group were able to produce engravings, relief prints and mono prints during their 2 hour session. The prints really made good use of the vibrant colours and shapes, found in the colourful fabrics and […]

Local GCSE prints.

Year 11 pupils from Marsden Heghts Community College in Nelson enhanced their GCSE coursework by working with artist Alan Birch . A series of engravings and relief prints were produced and the pupils fully utilised the workshop. The theme of architecture worked very well with engraving as collage could be used.

20-20 Print exchange

Artists from Prospect Studio took part in the annual print exchange organised by Hot Bed Press studio in Manchester. Artists produced an edition of 25 prints on paper which is 20cm square. In return they receive a portfolio of prints, randomly selected from printmakers from the UK and abroad. Some excellent prints were produced as […]

Prospect at Winterfest .

Printmakers from Prospect Studios exhibited their work at The Whitaker in Rawtenstall as part of their inaugural Winterfest event. Makers showed their work, whilst choirs , Santa and other entertainers performed. The event was a success with many artists selling work. The highlight was a performance by Rossendale Male Voice Choir.

Blessed Thomas Holford print.

GCSE pupils from Blesssed Thomas Holford Catholic College spent the day printing with Alan Birch. Using a portable printing press and water based inks, pupils based their work on the GCSE coursework. Engravings, relief prints and some collage works were produced as over 60 pupils took part in the session. There was even time for […]

Primary Prints

Two year 5 groups from Bridgewater Primary School, spent an enjoyable day at The Whitworth in Manchester. Looking at the patterns and shapes in the textile gallery, pupils produced sheets of drawings which were used to cut shapes from textured wallpapers . These were then printed using water based inks and a portable printing press. […]

Safe as Houses

Alan Birch spent an afternoon working with members of the Safe as Houses project in Bury. All the group who have experienced homelessness in the past, produced drawings which were then taken into engraving and collage. For most of the group this was their first taste of printing and hopefully they will be exhibiting their […]

Academy prints.

Year 11pupils from St Ambrose Barlow RC High School spent the day with Alan Birch, extending their GCSE coursework into print. Drawings and watercolour studies formed the basis for a series of engravings, collage prints, relief prints and mono prints. All pupils were happy with their work, many creating 8 prints. “Thank you so much […]

Handmade print

Recent handmade sessions, programmed at the Whitworth on Friday afternoons have seen participants working on a variety of print techniques. Using the Althea McNeish exhibition as inspiration, artists have used relief printing , mono printing and printing from natural forms to produce a range of vibrant and colourful prints. Printer Alan Birch has guided artists […]

Radcliffe works.

Artists from Prospect Studio spent an enjoyable morning with photographer Andy Marshall on a fact finding tour of Radcliffe. Artists looked at the medieval buildings and green, a tour of the centre, and a stroll through post industrial areas. Artists will use the tour to inspire prints which will hopefully lead to an exhibition in […]

St George’s Print

Year 3 pupils from St George’s Primary School in Bolton spent an enjoyable day, working on engravings and relief prints with Alan Birch. Pupils worked from the drawings of Henry Moore for their engravings and used the subject of landscape for their relief prints. Over 120 prints and drawings were produced and pupils kept their […]