Few people decide to become printmakers. More often, the medium finds them unexpectedly – through a chance encounter, a demonstration or the simple curiosity to try something new. Yet for those who do, printmaking has a remarkable habit of becoming a lifelong passion.

That is certainly true for members of York Printmakers, whose artists have arrived at the craft by very different routes.

For Jen Dring, everything changed while watching a linocut demonstration during York Open Studios. Intrigued by the process, she enrolled on a course and eventually turned her new enthusiasm into a full-time career. “I was instantly fascinated,” she says. “I’ve never looked back.”

For Jane Duke, the enduring attraction lies in both the creative process and the people who share it. “It’s not just the element of surprise,” she says. “It’s the generosity of the printmaking community that keeps me coming back.”

Roger Goldthorpe came to printmaking after retirement. What began as a brief exploration of relief printing developed into an enduring passion. Now aged 79, he continues to create original work, demonstrating that creativity has no age limit.

Although their stories are different, they all speak of the same qualities that make printmaking so compelling. It is a process that rewards patience and craftsmanship while always leaving room for experimentation. Every print is made by hand and every impression is slightly different, giving each finished piece its own unique character.

Those individual journeys have helped shape York Printmakers into a thriving collective of professional artists, experienced printmakers and enthusiastic newcomers. Together they share ideas, encourage one another and celebrate the enduring appeal of traditional printmaking in an increasingly digital world. The result is a remarkable diversity of styles, techniques and subjects, united by a love of making original prints by hand.

Visitors will have the chance to experience that diversity at York Printmakers’ Annual Print Fair, which takes place on 19–20 September 2026 in the Chapel and Harriet Room at York Cemetery. Open from 10am to 5pm on both days, the fair will showcase linocuts, etchings, collagraphs, wood engravings and other relief and intaglio prints. Visitors can meet more than 20 printmakers who will be selling their work. Learn about their techniques and purchase original prints directly from the makers.