We are thrilled to be celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2008. In 1958 when the studio was set up the intention was to try it and see what happened: I doubt that any of the people involved in the decision process envisaged that the business would still be going 50 years on.

Wherever we have been located the ethos of the studio has remained the same: to provide a facility for artists to create original prints of the highest standards using the lithographic medium on a collaborative basis. It is testimony to the artists and our printer's knowledge of lithographic processes that we are still practicing our trade in this largely digital world. We still view lithography as an evolving medium with the all important support of the artists who work with us.

There are a number of events planned to help us celebrate this landmark achievement, of which details can be found below.

Further detail will be added to this page as and when it becomes available, so do keep checking from time to time.
Exhibitions

Curwen Gallery & New Academy Gallery

26th March - 19th April

2nd April - Gallery Party

10th April - St Giles-in-the-Field Thanksgiving Service at 11.30am

The service will be conducted by The Right Reverend The Lord Harries of Oxford with the support of the Archdeacon of Charing Cross - Rector of St Giles-in-the-Field. The gallery will be closed until 2pm following the service and reception afterwards

15th April - Stanley Jones - talk in the gallery

number nine the gallery - Birmingham

14th May - 1st June

Exhibition of past and present prints from the studio, with supporting elements to explain original prints

Aldeburgh Gallery - Art of Illustrators and Designers

19th - 25th June 2008

An insight in to artists work as illustrators and designers at 143 High Street Aldeburgh

Tate Britain - Goodison Room

October 2008 - January 2009

Aldeburgh Gallery - Curwen Today date tbc

Addenbroke's exhibition - 12th August - 30 September

This exhibition will feature a selection of works chosen by Addenbroke's Arts

Fry Art Gallery - October 2008

This exhibition will focus on the artists that they show and the diversity of work that they undertook with either the Press or Studio. Visit www.fryartgallery.org to find out more about their artists.

Tate Liverpool - 2009 tbc

Expanded version of the Tate Britain display

National Library of Wales - 1st May - 28th August 2010

Exhibition to cover the history of Curwen, both Press and Studio


Special Limited Editions

Paula Rego - we are delighted that Paula is to create an original print especially for our 50th anniversary, which will depict the start of the studio in 1958.

Mark Hearld - this edition will reflect the company from which the studio was born - the Curwen Press. Mark's inspiration is very much influenced by a number of artists that worked with the press so it seemed right that he should be asked to cover this period.

Antony Micallef - has very kindly agreed to do an original print for us that will represent the present. He has worked with us on several occasions to create his prints.

All the editions will be available through us and Tate Britain. Along with the competition winners print we hope that we have covered all key stages of our 50 years from the very beginning to the future and we are very grateful to everyone to make this possible.


Competition

We will be holding a competition for current full time printmaking students. The winner will be asked to create their edition with us during 2008 and will be for sale through our website to represent the future of the Studio. John Purcell Paper and Darryl Nantais (framing) have kindly offered to support this initiative.


Curwen: Artists & Print

The display at Tate Britain will also serve as the launch of a new publication from Tate, covering the history of the Curwen Press and Studio by Alan Powers. The book will include 100 colour and 30 B&W illustrations to support the 30,000 word text. The main portion of the book will focus on the Studio, but in order to understand why the studio was set up a brief overview of the press activities is necessary. There have been many books written about the Press and we are delighted that Tate has taken on the challenge of covering our history to date.

The book will be available through Tate, main booksellers here and overseas and the Studio.


Support the book


Curwen 50th Portfolio

Our intention is to create a very limited edition portfolio of all artists that work with us through our 50th year. The result will be a fascinating snapshot of the diversity of the work that we do in any one year. Each artist will be given a copy and the remainder will be for general sale, with the exception of one copy that will be luxuriously bound and sold at auction.


Sponsorship opportunities

There are sponsorship opportunities available for most of the above. It would also be possible to hold a reception at Tate Britain in relation to the book launch or exhibition. Please contact us if you are interested in supporting any of the items mentioned above.