02/02/2024

Join an international celebration of artistic printmaking at the Open Print Exchange exhibition and workshops at Hurstville Museum & Gallery from February to April.
 
This exhibition places printing centre stage by showcasing hundreds of small prints created with a tiny 3D-printed printing press by almost 200 artists from all over the world as part of the Open Press Project.
 
As part of the global project, each artist participating in the Open Print Exchange project submits ten prints, with one print from each artist displayed as part of the exhibition, and the remaining nine prints distributed randomly to participating artists.
 
The exhibition officially opened on 2 February, featuring guest speaker Akky van Ogtrop, an esteemed art historian and curator of PAPER 2023 and president of the Print Council of Australia, who shared insights into the significance of printmaking in the contemporary art scene.
 
Georges River Mayor Sam Elmir encouraged community members interested in creative printmaking to head to Hurstville Museum & Gallery for the exhibition or subsequent workshops and described the Open Print Exchange project as ‘a testament to the power of creativity and international collaboration’.
 
“The Open Print Exchange is a celebration of creativity, artistic collaboration, and the simple joy of receiving some tiny art in the mail. I’m excited to see the diversity of artistic expression this project will bring to Georges River,” Mayor Elmir said.
 
“The exhibition features works from artists from far and wide in a stunning display of diverse artistic styles and transcends borders to showcase the diversity of artistic expression from around the globe.”
 
Community members with an interest in printmaking are invited to participate in the Open Print Exchange Open Day on Saturday 16 March, which will be an interactive experience beyond traditional gallery visits and include captivating print demonstrations, offering visitors an immersive experience with the artistic process of printmaking.
 
A series of workshops will also be held during the exhibition to explore the art of printmaking, including evening workshops tailored for adults to explore participants’ creative printmaking processes.
 
“I encourage Georges River community members to unleash their creativity and get involved in these free printmaking workshops during the Open Print Exchange in Georges River, or to attend the exhibition to experience the creative innovation of small but impactful prints from artists around the world,” Mayor Elmir said.
 
Open Print Exchange exhibition
Date:  3 February – 28 April 2024
Time: During opening hours
Venue: Hurstville Museum & Gallery
 
Open Print Exchange Open Day
Date: Saturday, 16 March 2024
Time: From 10:00am – 4:00pm
Venue: Hurstville Museum & Gallery
 
More information: Open Print Exchange