This year’s Festival of Print marks the return of East London Printmakers (ELP) annual exhibition at the Mile End Art Pavilion, and will showcase an exciting collection of contemporary works by 100 printmakers – celebrating more than 25 years of creativity and collaboration in printmaking.

Exploring a huge diversity of printmaking techniques, the annual show will include woodblock, screenprint, etching, relief, monoprints, and limited editions created by ELP’s established Associate Members and Artists in Residence.

ELP has invited the printmaker Paul Catherall, who is renowned for his bold linocuts of architectural landmarks, as guest speaker to the show’s opening night, on 24 October.

The Festival’s gallery location, in Mile End Park, provides the perfect backdrop for both seasoned art lovers and newcomers, and local residents who are keen to discover grassroots printmaking talent and have the chance to explore the work of emerging artists who are taking the first steps in their careers.

As part of the Festival, ELP will also host its Winter Open Studio on 27 October, from 12–4 pm at ELP’s studio, in Mile End. Visitors can tour the spacious studio, meet the ELP team to discuss courses and open access sessions, and try their hand at making their own colourful screenprints, drypoint, and lino cut prints. Collagraph printing demonstrations will also be available, led by ELP’s experienced tutors.

Attendees will also be able to find bargains at the Super Seconds Print Sale, explore a variety of original artists’ cards, and browse prints for sale from ELP’s Box Set archives.

With cakes and refreshments on offer, the Winter Open Studio provides the opportunity to discover ELP’s creative community. The studio is just a five-minute walk from Mile End Underground station.

In addition to the Open Studio event, the Festival of Print 2024 will continue at the Art Pavilion. ELP thanks its sponsors for donating prizes to support its annual exhibition.

Sponsors of the Festival of Print 2024 include:

A.P. Fitzpatrick
Cadisch Screen Printing Supplies
Framework Framing
G.F Smith
Hawthorn Printmaker Supplies
Intaglio Printmaker
London Centre for Book Arts
Panopus
Paupers Press
Printmakers Council
Printmaking Today
John Purcell for supporting the Box Set project

Opening night is on Thursday, 24 October, from 6-9pm, at the Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, Clinton Road, E3 4QY. The exhibition continues from Friday 25 October to Sunday 3 November – open 11am-6pm daily, and from 12-4.30pm on the last day of the show. Admission is free.