Edinburgh Printmakers

Edinburgh Printmakers is a printmaking studio and gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland. It has played a key role in the careers of Alan Davie, John Bellany, Carol Rhodes and Kate Downie.^[1][2]

Site of Edinburgh Printmakers former home on Union Street, Edinburgh

History

Union Street studios

Edinburgh Printmakers was established in 1967, Britain's first open access printmaking studio ^[1] promoting wider participation in the arts.^[3]

The new building during renovation

In 2019 the Printmakers moved from its former home on Union Street to Castle Mills, Dundee Street in Fountainbridge, a building which was once the headquarters for the North British Rubber Company.^[4][5] They opened with exhibitions by German printmaker Thomas Kilpper [de] and Scottish artist Callum Innes.^[6][7][5] Janet Archer was appointed CEO in 2021^[8]

The building at Castle Mills won architecture awards for re-use and social impact.^[9][10] The organisation is successful in winning subsidies and investment in order to ensure that creative art spaces are open to the public.^[11] It is now offers access print studio printmaking facilities for artists using traditional and digital processes. The facilities include dedicated learning space, art galleries, a shop, café and print archive.^[3]