Edinburgh Printmakers Workshop and Gallery

The idea of a printmakers’ workshop originated in 1967, when art dealer Robert Cox approached Glasgow based artist and printmaker Philip Reeves to sound out the idea. Within weeks and with help from the Head of Printmaking at Edinburgh College of Art, Kim Kempshall, printmaker and teacher Roy Wood and artist and printmaker Ken Duffy, who became the managing secretary and first director, the Printmakers’ Workshop was born. It was the first open access studio and workshop specifically for printmakers in Britain. The group begged a few presses and pieces of equipment and eventually attracted a grant from the Scottish Arts Council. By 1975, the group had outgrown is premises and relocated to new premises above the Scottish Arts Council owned Fruitmarket Gallery. Over the years artists who have been associated with the Workshop include John Bellany, William Johnstone, Alfons Bytautas, Barbara Rae, Alistair Mack and Thora Clyne.