THE historic Porthmeor Print Workshop in St Ives, which re-opened in May following a five-month refurbishment led by the Penwith Gallery, will be welcoming visitors during this year’s St Ives September Festival.

Housed in the historic St Peter’s Net and Sail Loft – once part of the pilchard industry – it has since the 1950s been used by renowned modernist artists such as Peter Lanyon, Terry Frost, and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham.

The workshop now features energy-efficient insulation and new roof-lights, while preserving its original sail loft character - wooden beams, fireplaces, and traditional print presses. 

Run by Rachael Kantaris since 1996, the non-profit, open-access space supports around 25 members and provides facilities for etching, monoprint, collagraph, and linocut, along with regular courses.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved in refurbishing the premises, especially the Penwith Gallery team and our workshop manager, Rachael Kantaris,” said one member. “We are all eager to get back to creating in this wonderful new space.”

As part of the September Festival, the workshop will host a fund-raising exhibition of members’ prints as well as holding four printmaking demonstrations and taking part in the Open Studios programme.

The exhibition of the work of the members including collagraphs, monoprints, etchings and lino cuts, will be open to visitors on September 18,19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 (11am to 5pm) with two demonstrations (11am until noon and 3 until 4pm) on both Wednesday of the festival, September 17 and 24. Admission is free with donations.

Membership provides proficient local printmakers with the opportunity to work in a well-equipped, historic building in the centre of St Ives. Email [email protected] for membership details.

To view all events taking place during St Ives September Festival and to book tickets online, visit: www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk