Swansea
Print Workshop @
Kings
Lane Warehouse
now viewing: Kings Lane Warehouse / Why we Need to Move
Why is Kings Lane important to Swansea
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Why we Need to Move
Swansea Print Workshop was established in 1998 by a group of artists and printmakers based in Swansea. It became a 'not for profit' company in 2000.
In 2000, a major refurbishment of Swansea Print Workshop’s studios at 19a Clarence Street, Swansea, took place. The Clarence Street studios soon grew to become what is now an established centre of fine art printmaking, providing unique community resource within the region.
Since its refurbishment, the Clarence Street workshop has consistently been used well beyond the anticipated capacity. This has meant that the workshop activities have now become constrained by their premises, and as a result Swansea Print Workshop began the search for a new home three years ago.
Larger premises are needed to attain the full economic and creative potential of the organisation and its members. At present many of our activities cannot be carried out concurrently because of the restraints of space and facilities. This has an impact on our capacity to generate revenue and long term sustainability.
The new accommodation will allow SPW to run activities and courses concurrently that can only be run consecutively in the present building. A new premises will enable SPW to meet their growing demand and increase their revenue to the point where they can become increasingly self sufficient.
Swansea Print Workshop aspires to be the centre for contemporary printmaking in Wales. With a dedicated building it would act as a focus and catalyst for all those involved in the advocacy of printmaking, including schools, colleges, curators, artists groups, collectors and voluntary organisations.
Some quotes...
The purpose built workshop will be an important educational and creative development for both Swansea Print Workshop and the schools of the City and County of Swansea. The new premises promises to be a well considered learning environment and a unique facility, which will provide a platform for creativity for Swansea and its communities.
Carolyn Davies, Teacher Adviser and Co-coordinator for the Arts, 2007
The plans for the new print centre could cater for a whole range of opportunities for developing further work with Adult Continuing Education. Swansea Print Workshop would certainly benefit from having a larger venue … scheduling courses would be much easier and could host more than one class at a time. The Workshop, wherever it is, an excellent venue and valuable resource here in Swansea. It does a great deal to encourage people from all walks of life and has totally transformed some people’s lives.
Gillian Morgan, Co-coordinating Tutor Visual Arts, 2007
The relationship between our faculty and Swansea Print Workshop has benefited from fruitful collaboration and with this new development we anticipate that there will be an increase in the number of linked projects and opportunities.
Professor Andrea Liggins, Dean of Faculty of Art & Design, 2007
We think it is excellent, much-needed … you contribute a significant piece of the jigsaw of the future cultural shape of Swansea and the region.
Robin Hall, Arts Development Officer Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea, 2007
As the scale of the ambition for the project has grown, the proposal now has the significant added benefit of providing an iconic building by one of the UK’s leading architectural practices. It will also play a key role in the new development by Swansea Housing and be an important keystone in the regeneration of High Street.
Sybil Crouch, Head of Cultural Services, Taliesin Arts Centre, 2007
From our point of view at the Dylan Thomas Centre, we are very keen to develop closer links with Swansea Print Workshop and to explore cross-art collaborative projects, which would be aided by physical proximity.
David Woolley, Arts Officer for the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea
We urge that art, artists and organisations such as Swansea Print Workshop continue to receive the funding they require to further improve the already thriving scene in Swansea.
Owen Griffiths, Daniel McCabe, Tom O’Sullivan, David Philips, Paul Woodland, Fern Thomas, Adele Vye, Framework, 2007
To create the centre that is proposed
would advance the opportunities and skills to an even greater audience
in Wales and abroad. It would attract artists from around the globe and
raise the profile of Wales in printmaking today.
The proposed Kings Lane development opens up the possibility for collaboration with industry for both research and development and business to business links.
Rodney Bender, Managing Director Innovative Glass Products Ltd, 2007
Swansea Print Workshop offers by far the best context for open access printmaking in South Wales, even in its current cramped accommodation: the range of media and equipment, the openness of the access, the professional expertise on hand.
Bernard van Lierop, Ordinary member, 2007