Small Pleasures by Northern Print’s studio artists
Shown online and exhibited in windows at
Northern Print, Newcastle from Fri 27 Nov
and Queens Hall Arts, Hexham from Wed 2 Dec.

This collection of prints has been made by some of our regular studio users. The theme is the everyday, simple pleasures that have been so important to us all throughout the challenges of 2020.

We asked studio users to reflect on the small pleasure they have valued during the lockdown and to make a small print to illustrate this.

The resulting artworks are made using a range of printmaking processes – from etchings to screen printing, linocuts to cyanotypes. The small pleasures they depict are also equally varied with themes relating to the natural world; hot baths, cups of tea as well as the joy of making things.

You can view and buy the prints online here and, in our windows until we close for the Christmas holiday, - turning our gallery and studio inside out so passers-by in Ouseburn can enjoy these artworks from the pavement*. We hope that these prints raise a few smiles and help us all to reflect on the small pleasures we value most of all.

The project took the NHS ‘Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing’ as a starting point. The five suggested actions to improve wellbeing are:

• Connect with other People
• Be physically active
• Learn new skills
• Give to others
• Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)

As part of the project we encouraged studio users to develop new printmaking skills; connect with each other through exchanging prints with each other and we will be donating some of the prints to local community projects this Christmas.

We hope that by displaying the prints outdoors we will be encouraging people to be physically active by enjoying a stroll through Ouseburn.

You can find out more about mental wellbeing on the NHS website.

If you would like to learn a new skills and get involved in printmaking get in touch to find out about joining Northern Print by emailing enquiry@northernprint.org.uk

The prints are available for sale with prices starting at £10

*Please note that vehicles maybe entering and exiting the car park at all times and to be aware - children should be supervised at all times’.