THE organisers of one of the UK’s foremost artist-led printmaking festivals aim to return to south Cumbria in 2018 after celebrating a record-breaking event at the weekend.

Printfest 2017 took over the Coronation Hall, in Ulverston, and attracted more visitors, more artists and more sales than ever before.

More than 50 artists, from Bristol to Scotland, displayed their work. There were more than 1,700 visitors, who came from all over Britain, and sales were at around £53,000.

Sally Bamber, the chairwoman of Printfest and an artist and designer from Broughton, said: “It was hugely successful in that we have broken all records, but it is not just about numbers. It was about confirming Printfest at Coronation Hall as one of the many festivals in the festival town of Ulverston.

“We have been amazed at how many people said how glad they were that Printfest was back and

have been incredibly supportive.

“Many people remarked on the quality of the work and also the diversity, with the different print-

making techniques on display."

Printfest took a break in 2016 while a new organising committee took stock of its aims.

They obtained funding from local businesses and organisations, meaning a record nine awards were

made to artists.

Printfest was founded in 2001 by print-making artists Judy Evans and Ronkey Bullard, with the help of Chris Benefield, who owned The Tinners’ Rabbit in Market Street, Ulverston.

The new team behind Printfest includes Judy Evans, one of the Printfest founders alongside Tina Balmer, Valerie Madden and Sally Bamber, with her husband Keith Bamber as treasurer and returning member Janet Benefield, the wife of the original chairman Chris Benefield, who died in 2015.

The festival was opened by Printfest’s new patron, Tim Robertson, who has a life-long involvement in the arts, working with, among others, Anthony Gormley and Greyson Perry. Since 2015 he has been director of the Royal Society of Literature.

Visitors left great feedback, telling the organisers of Printfest 2017; "this is the best yet. Really good to talk with artists about their work,” “great printers, great atmosphere. A great NW cultural event, and a great restaurant” and “a lovely wide selection of picture, subjects, styles – something for every taste.”

Printfest winners were:

Visitors' Choice (Sponsored by James Cropper PLC): Mark Pearce

Printmaker of the Year: Jason Hicklin (commissioned by Printfest to create a dramatic Lake District etching, Coniston Water from Low Water End)

Printmakers' Printmaker: Georgina Bown

Awagami Paper Award: Chris Salmon.

Haigh Award: Anja Percival

McClures Award: Mark Pearce

Chris Benefield Memorial Award: Clare Cutts

Hawthorn Printmaker Supplies Award: John Hatton

Founders’ Award: Katie Edwards