History

In 1983 a small group of artists who set up Knighton Lane Artists Studios began to discuss the development of an artist-led print studio with membership for local artists in the house next door.

The artists who founded and transformed a small detached house into Leicester Print Workshop were Laurence Wood, Ian Carmichael, Sylvia Wright, Claire Wright, David Hunter and Tim Wylie.

Seeking support from East Midlands Arts, David Manley was key to guidance on fundraising and grants from Arts Council England. We obtained support from Leicester City Council in the form of peppercorn rent for the house whilst it was being made into a print studio and we raised funds for building work, equipment and staffing.

In 1984 and 1985 we raised money for the print workshop through an art auction with local artists donating artworks. We then organised and hosted a national fundraising conference on fine art and printmaking with talks and events led by artists and delegates from Edinburgh, Newcastle, Glasgow and Bristol Print Studios.

We sought advice from print workshops across the country and ‘Artists News Letter’ who helped with research on membership/pricing/access/materials and equipment. We then bought the first Harry Rochat etching press and started small scale access for studio users on a contract of trust.

The success of all this work then led to Arts Council funding in 1986 which enabled us to employ Sue Emsley who was the first part time manager for Leicester Print Workshop at Knighton Lane. Sue was followed by Bernie Rutter in 1991, and then Sarah Kirby, who moved the workshop over to St Stevens Road in Highfields, a building formerly used by St Stephens Enterprise project (STEP) in 1998, with the support of an Arts Council grant and during this time charitable status was achieved. Subsequent managers have been Ruth Thomas, Karen McInnes, Sean Rorke and Angela Harding. Lucy Philips then took the workshop through to its incredible current location in St George Street Leicester.