Call for Artists and Writers
We’re looking for writers and artists to work alongside or collaboratively with each other to create work inspired by the Paston Letters, the village of Paston, and accompanying images and objects.
In October, at the end of the project, participating writers and artists will have the opportunity to have a piece of work included in the hand-bound book that will form the centrepiece of the autumn exhibition.
If you’d like to take part, you’ll need to attend at least one workshop. Writers and artists of all levels of experience are welcome: published or unpublished, experienced or beginners. All you need is enthusiasm for this wonderful project, and a willingness to produce work informed by this unique source material.
The Paston Letters
The Paston Heritage Society, a village society based at Paston on the North Norfolk coast, has planned a unique collaboration between past and present in the form of prints and words inspired by the Paston Letters, a collection of 15th century documents written by the family of Paston and ranging over many subjects.
We are combining this with an exploration of modern printmaking techniques – very suitable as the Pastons wrote their letters in the period when the first paper mill was built in England and the first printed books were published. A primary reference point will be the first edition of the Paston letters, published in 1787 by John Fenn – an instant best seller and never out of print since. John Fenn transcribed signatures, original letters, watermarks and seals – a fascinating collection celebrating the major innovations in the printed image and word in the latter half of the 15th century.
Our innovation will be in the use of non-toxic intaglio printing in the making of images and words, and the final product will be a hand-printed, limited edition book and exhibition of the work produced during the project.
(above) St. Margaret's Church, Paston.
Workshops for Artists and Writers
The workshops will explore both the world of the Paston letters and the landscape and buildings of Paston today. There will be opportunities for collaborative or solo work in the production of plates for the book.
All workshops will take place at The Barn, Dayspring, Paston and will be led by myself and with one of the InPrint poets. For the artists, a variety of printing techniques may be used, including non-toxic intaglio printing and collagraph – if you would like to discuss this further, please contact me.
Workshops cost £20 a day (concessions £10), materials are included in the cost, and drinks will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch.
Dates for printing and writing workshops:
- Sunday 13th April 10 am – 4 pm
- Sunday 11th May, 10am – 4 pm
- Saturday 31st May, 10 am – 4 pm
- Sunday 29th June, 10 am – 4 pm
- Wednesday 23rd July, 10 am – 4 pm
If you would like to make a booking for a workshop, please CONTACT ME.