A landmark anniversary for the Norwich Print Fair gives the chance for visitors to learn more about this craft, reports Raven Saunt.

Set in the historic surroundings of St Margaret’s Church Gallery in St Benedict’s Street, Norwich Print Fair celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. With stunning hand-printed displays, varying demonstrations and its informal and friendly atmosphere, it promises to be a fascinating event.

An original print is an image created from hand-cut or drawn printing blocks, plates or stencils which are used to produce a limited number of hand-pulled prints.

Running from September 7 to 19, the exhibition gives visitors the chance to not only admire the artists’ pieces and inquire into the techniques behind them, but also to observe the creators at work as they produce original prints. This rare technical insight into the production of each unique piece of craftwork will take place on Sunday, September 13 and is called Printmakers in Action with everything from linocuts to etchings, collagraphs to screenprints being produced.

Among the Norfolk-based artists exhibiting at the milestone event will be Amelia Bowman, HJ Jackson, Leanda Jaine Hughes and Nicola Slattery. Nicola comments: “Working as an artist can be a solitary experience. The fair for me is a chance to meet other artists and see their latest work as well as to meet the many visitors.”

To complement the main exhibition, in celebration of the anniversary there will be a special trail of original prints throughout the Norwich Lanes, titled 20/20, which will see 20 of the print fair’s current artists exhibiting best examples of their work in the windows of shops and businesses.

Also to mark the anniversary of the exhibition, guests will be invited to browse through the Norwich Print Fair’s commemorative book, which will be available to buy. It has recently been published to celebrate the exhibition’s origins; the varying artists who have helped make the event a success since its start in 1995, and the evolving print processes.

Being the largest independent selling show of its kind in East Anglia, the fair will be a great chance to celebrate the range of talents that both Norfolk and Suffolk has to offer.