ORGANISERS of a printmaking festival have pledged to return to South Lakeland next year after the ‘best-ever’ event.

More than 1,800 art lovers visited Ulverston’s Coronation Hall for Printfest 19, a record number, to see works by 49 artists from all over Britain.

The grand total in sales is expected to be around the same amount as last year, which reached a record of more than £60,000.

Printfest ‘19 chairwoman Sally Bamber said: “The artists were bowled over by how well they had been looked after and the new lighting system worked really well.

“I am thrilled that we have such a good team, set-up crew and stewards who make Printfest a success.

“We’ll be back next year.”

The four-day event started with an opening talk by Printmaker of the Year, Sadie Tierney, and Printmaker’s Printmaker from 2018, Flora McLachlan, on Thursday evening.

On Friday there was a private view for Friends of Printfest and invited guests.

Printfest then opened to the public on Saturday 4th May as well as the following day.

New for 2019 were the workshops delivered by Cumbria Printmakers in a marquee beside Coronation Hall, where 48 participants took part on four three-hour sessions. There were many top prizes on offer including the Cranfield First Prize, which went to Debby Akam for her print ‘Peat, Bracken, Juniper and Orange’ for its combination of colour and texture. Ms Bamber said they had had lot of positive feedback.