Feb 28, 2022
Curwen Print Study Centre will open its new purpose built premises in Great Thurlow Suffolk in early March 2022 to teach fine art printmaking. The new centre contains a teaching studio, member open access studio, gallery, historic printing presses and will contain the charity’s significant archive of artists prints and associated documents relating to The Curwen Studio under Stanley Jones as Master Printer.
Curwen Print Study Centre is an established fine art educational charity offering high quality practical teaching in traditional and contemporary hand crafted printmaking skills to students of all ages and abilities, and opportunities for teacher training. Situated in the Suffolk countryside the new Studio is fully accessible and has free parking on the doorstep and also provides online courses.
President of the Centre, Master Printer Stanley Jones MBE, said: “The opening of the new premises is a landmark event for the Curwen Print Study Centre and a culmination my life work. I feel overwhelmed and humbled at the generosity of the trusts and individual donors, the Thurlow Estate and artists who have helped realise this ambitious expansion.”
David Morley, Chair of Trustees said: “Our work with artists and schools can now continue long into the future and our archive including prints by Paula Rego, Henry Moore and John Bellany to name just a few will be preserved for the public to enjoy. On behalf of the board I wish to express our gratitude to our staff, tutors and corporate supporters. Significant fund raising will be needed over the coming three years when at which time we are confident our income from teaching will cover our costs.”
Centre Director Lorraine Chitson said, “We intend to expand all areas of our provision including our highly successful education programme for school students at GCSE, IB and A'Level, our Certificate Course for adults, our Outclass programme taking printmaking out into the community as well as our new Membership Scheme for artists with dedicated resources and an onsite technician.”
County Councillor Bobby Bennett for the Clare Division said: “I had the opportunity to visit the Centre during its construction and it is a magnificent property on the Great Thurlow Estate. I am delighted that the Curwen Print Study Centre has chosen to relocate to Great Thurlow enriching the arts provision for the people of West Suffolk and beyond.”
The public opening will take place on Saturday 5 March 2022 between 11am to 3pm with printing demonstrations. Book courses, donate or find out more on the charity’s website www.curwenprintstudy.co.uk