Friday, January 27, 2012

Print Workshops, Oxford Story Museum

Leave the computer behind! The Bodleian Hand Printing Workshop at The Story Museum is launching a spring programme of hands-on sessions for both families and adults, starting in February. Visitors will learn about the history and techniques of letterpress printing, hand set a short text and print it as a keepsake.

They’ll be able to use original printing presses, metal type and techniques that have a direct link back to Gutenberg (the father of modern book printing) and the early days of European printing in the fifteenth century.

The Bodleian Library’s printing presses have found a new home at The Story Museum’s premises in Pembroke Street, Oxford, where they will stay for the next couple of years. The workshops are led by Dr Paul W. Nash, the Bodleian’s chief tutor and specialist in historical printing techniques and machinery. He also runs his own letterpress printing studio, The Strawberry Press. Dr Nash said: “Computer-generated texts are two-dimensional. But traditional metal type, printed on mould-made paper using a hand-press and thick, odorous ink makes words in three dimensions, in a process that moves directly from the hand, through the type, to the page. Anyone who is bored with computer-generated text will enjoy getting to grips with the physicality of hand printing.”

Family print workshops
2-4 pm Saturday 25 February
2-4 pm Saturday 24 March
2-4 pm Saturday 28 April
2-4 pm Saturday 26 May
Cost: £8 per person. All ages 8 plus. Children up to 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Adult print workshop
7-9 pm Tuesday 27 March
Cost: £15 per person. Age 16 plus

Hand printing course
7-9 pm Tuesdays: six sessions, from April 10. An exciting workshop for beginners or those with some knowledge of printing and graphic design. Learn techniques, print and bind a small book. Cost £120 per person for six sessions. Age 16 plus.

Booking: Eka Morgan, The Story Museum: 01865 790050 eka@storymuseum.org.uk
Information: Paul Nash paul@strawberrypress.co.uk
The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP
www.storymuseum.org.uk/print

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