We have hit a milestone of 40 backers for our crowdfunding campaign and look forward to sharing some exciting news and project updates with you in the coming week! 🙌

We were delighted when Hilary Paynter decided to support our Crowdfund campaign. Here she speaks to us about the impact of printmaking on her life and the importance of access to and involvement in the creation of arts and culture. ++ NP: What impact has printmaking has had on your life? HP: The impact printmaking has had on my life is massive - it is my life. Wood engraving totally absorbs me. I always have more ideas than I can use and these range widely to include socio-political comment and landscape. NP: Why is access to and involvement in the creation of arts and culture important? HP: The arts are crucial to a healthy, fulfilling life and children need access to creative activities from the earliest age. Printmaking may be enjoyed at various levels of competence and is particularly successful in helping children and adults create their own interpretations. I believe that access to print workshops can make a huge difference to vulnerable people and prevent or alleviate many kinds of illness, physical and mental. NP: Any personal thoughts about your experiences with Northern Print throughout your career? HP: Northern Print has been particularly significant to me ever since the Metro Project with Rebecca and Anna both taking a personal interest in my development as an artist and always offering support and encouragement. ++ Hilary Paynter is one of the UK's leading wood engravers and past president of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. She has illustrated numerous books, including titles for the Greynog Press and her work is in the collections of the V&A, the Ashmolean Museum, the FitzWilliam Museum, the Laing Art Gallery and Hereford and Durham City Museums amongst others. Hilary has generously donated this print to support our crowdfunding campaign off the back of being named the 2023 Printfest Printmaker of the year. To enter the print raffle pledge a minimum of £15, you will receive an email with instructions on how to enter the raffle. If we hit our crowdfund target on or before 11 July 2023, we will pick a winner at random Pledge gifts can’t be supplied to anonymous pledgers ++

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BACKED US SO FAR 🙌🙌🙌 We have raised an incredible £700 since we launched the campaign 🙌🙌🙌 If you can, please make a pledge and help us deliver high quality printmaking experiences for everyone – from community groups to developing the next generation of printmakers. We cannot keep the ink and inspiration going without the help of our supporters.

Pledge £15 towards Making a Mark with Newcastle East for a chance to win a limited edition woodcut print by Hilary Paynter. This exquisite work was first commissioned for Media Exchange, Ouseburn, and illustrates the original Stepney Pottery. Hilary has generously donated this print to support our crowdfunding campaign off the back of being named the 2023 Printfest Printmaker of the year. About the Printmaker: Hilary Paynter is one of the UK's leading wood engravers and past president of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. She has illustrated numerous books, including titles for the Greynog Press and her work is in the collections of the V&A, the Ashmolean Museum, the FitzWilliam Museum, the Laing Art Gallery and Hereford and Durham City Museums amongst others.

Thank you to everyone that donated to Northern Print at the Late Shows last night. We cannot keep the ink and inspiration going without the help of our supporters.