A Great Day Out as OFSTA Sponsors Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair Visit

Saturday 15th November saw the first OFSTA-sponsored trip for College pupils and Old Framlinghamians to visit the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair at the Fireworks Gallery, Woolwich Arsenal. Peter Howard-Dobson, OF Society of The Arts Secretary, had been unable to make the trip, and he was particularly grateful to Hon OF Caroline Mallett (former Head of Art) for representing the Arts Society.

For WCPF, this was the tenth annual Fair, bringing together individual artists and printmakers, inventors and suppliers of technical equipment, and galleries representing many well-known artists whose reputations are widened by their own printmaking and by limited editions of their work.

A lively buzzy atmosphere in the gallery prevailed, while OF Jack Bullen (G03-08), co-founder of this event, guided our group around the highlights of the exhibition. His talk focused on the wide variety of printmaking techniques on display, challenging many of our pre-conceived ideas as to what constitutes a print.

Then, with time to pursue our own interests, and for the pupils to collect information for their individual school projects, we explored other booths where there were opportunities to try out printing equipment, buy work and chat with the artists. We had some lovely feedback from pupils, including this from Rosie S, “I had a really inspiring and enjoyable day. I loved how interactive the printmaking activities were, and it was fascinating to watch artists working with so many different techniques”.

It was great to see the work there of another OF, Bella Easton (P85-88), and to meet up with OFs Flynn Warren (K03-08) and Tom Selby (R06-08).

The pupils, who were from years 10 to 13, were accompanied from Framlingham College by Hon OFs David Ashton and Chris Lenton (whose presence made the whole event such a pleasure), and Hon OF Sarah Jones (also a former teacher in the Art department) kept Caroline company.

Pictured above is Jack Bullen (G03-08) greeting the OFSTA party and giving a guided tour.

Pictured below are Chris Lenton, Tom Selby, Flynn Warren and Sarah Jones

Pictured below is a printing demonstration for Chris Lenton and Fram Pupils

The final picture is Jack Bullen continuing to give his tour to FC pupils.