Community group fundraises for etching press

THE Barwon Heads Arts Council is calling on the community to help them in their fundraising efforts to pay for a second-hand etching press.

The group is raising $2,200 to cover the costs of the machine and courier fees from Melbourne and is inviting the community to get involved in the initiative.

Barwon Heads Arts Council member and Sunday Printmakers volunteer Vicki Strachan said the press will be the first available to the community on the Bellarine for printmakers.

“This etching press is for artists and those wishing to learn – it’s a space for everyone,” she said.

“The community is welcome to drop by the Maker Shed when the Sunday Printmakers meet to get involved.”

A new etching press would normally cost anywhere between $6,000 and $7,000, the group managed to secure a second-hand one for $2,000 from a well-known artist in Melbourne.

Community members can get involved in helping fundraise for the equipment by participating in a print exchange, hosted by the arts council, where artists provide 10 prints and receive nine random prints in return of a $25 entry fee.

People can also visit the Sunday Printmakers in the Maker shed at the coming Bellarine Arts Trail on November 1 and November 2, or donate directly through trybooking.com/au/donate/sundayprintmakers

Ms Strachan and fellow Barwon Heads Arts Council member Patsy Bush started community printmaking workshops after the Barwon Heads Arts Hub opened in 2022.

Ms Steachan said with the addition of the press, she’s looking forward to sharing the love of printmaking with the wider community and for them to have access to the equipment.

“It would be an expensive purchase for one artist and now a shared printmaking space will lead to all sorts of exciting possibilities for our creative community. I can’t wait.”

Ms Strachan thanked the Sunday Printmakers and Barwon Heads Arts Council for their support in purchasing the press.

For more information, head to bhac.org.au